Caring for Denver Foundation Funds Crisis Text Line to Expand Free, 24/7 Mental Health Support

DENVER - Dec. 14, 2023 - PRLog -- Caring for Denver Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to provide financial support for programs and services that address Denver's mental health and substance misuse needs, has awarded a grant to Crisis Text Line to spread mental health awareness and support people in their time of need. Crisis Text Line is a nonprofit organization providing free, 24/7, confidential text-based mental health support in English and Spanish. Crisis Text Line's Crisis Counselors help texters address areas of struggle from school stress and breakups to self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Individuals seeking support can text DENVER to 741741 to reach a live, Crisis Counselor.

"We've seen overwhelming evidence for the need for immediate, crisis-response support for local youth," shared Lorez Meinhold, Caring for Denver Foundation executive director. "We are excited to support Crisis Text Line and partner with organizations and agencies that support youth to create an awareness campaign for this new mental health resource."

Caring for Denver Foundation was founded by Denver voters through a 2018 ballot initiative and is funded by Denver sales tax dollars to grow community-informed solutions such as Crisis Text Line. Caring for Denver Foundation funded Crisis Text Line outside of its normal triennial funding cycle due to a growing and demonstrated immediate need for mental health support for Colorado youth. Since 2017, Colorado youth have seen rates of poor mental health double. This observation is exacerbated for youth of color or for those who identify as LBGTQIA+.

"Because Crisis Text line uses texting and WhatsApp, they have a high reach among youth - 70% of Crisis Text Line users are under the age of 24," continued Meinhold. "Further, Crisis Text Line has a higher level of anonymity and bilingual support which is ideal for multicultural youth and LGBTQIA+ youth."

To ensure Denver youth are aware of the resource, Denver Public Schools will share information via communications channels, flyers, and posters in all schools. Further, Crisis Text Line and Caring for Denver Foundation will launch a digital advertising campaign to present youth with information on social media and online gaming channels, and via local radio stations.

"By providing essential mental health resources for our youth, we empower them to navigate life challenges with strength and resilience," said Jana French, Community Partnerships Director at Crisis Text Line.

Denver residents seeking free, 24/7 confidential mental health support through Crisis Text Line can connect via text, web chat, and WhatsApp in English and Spanish.

To reach a live, trained Crisis Counselor, text "DENVER" to 741741, text 443-SUPPORT (442-AYUDAME for Spanish) in WhatsApp, or connect via web chat.

For more information on Caring for Denver Foundation, visit caring4denver.org.