There’s a new way for teens to get help in a mental health crisis.
CONTACT Careline helps train care counselors who answer 988 calls and they are rolling out a new way to reach teens, through a text line. It’s called Teen Line and can be messaged at 865-345-3336. This comes as more teenagers in our area are taking their lives by suicide, which is now the third leading cause of death for Tennesseans aged between 10 and 17.
Contact Careline is 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Officials say there’s been a growth in the number of teen suicides in Knox, Blount and Anderson counties and the reason is unclear.
An annual report on State Suicide Prevention released earlier this year shows an increase in the state suicide rate. It also shows the suicide rate for 10-17 year olds is higher than the national rate.
The report says risk factors for this age group include depression, anxiety, PTSD and parental abuse.
The McNabb Center has several resources for adults and teens, like their mobile crisis line, which gets calls from 988.
There’s also an Empath Unit open to anyone who may be in crisis. It’s inside the old St. Mary’s building, all you have to do is just walk in to get the help you need.
