Officials say a crisis text line has helped over 200 Ohioans in danger. According to a new report, the text line has resulted in the active rescue of 243 Ohioans who may have harmed themselves or someone else. The crisis text line allows people to send "4HOPE" to 741-741 and within five minutes they'll receive a response from a trained crisis counselor via text. Local officials say with the stigma surrounding mental health, sending a text can sometimes be easier than talking over the phone.
"Most people are hesitant even to the extent that they begin to think about suicide, and are still afraid to make that phone call, or to make that outreach. Texting is a comfortable way for many people that doesn't have a lot of embarrassment. It's not intimidating," said the executive director Michael Schoenhofer with the Mental Health Recovery Services Board.
Schoenhofer emphasized that people can also text the crisis line on behalf of a friend or loved one.
"You can text and say 'I'm with somebody who's thinking about suicide' and the mental health professional will assist you to help your friend or your loved one to make a connection, so you might be the one saving a life," Schoenhofer said.
The top three text subjects in Ohio are for depression, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and stress.
