Stronger together: Partnering with Teen Line to defeat teenage depression

In the fight against teenage depression and suicide, silence is the enemy. Discover how Project Your Life Matters Inc. and Teen Line are working together to provide hope, resources, and a lifeline to teens and young adults.

Our unified mission: Combating teen depression and suicide

As the founder of Project Your Life Matters Inc., I've dedicated my work to providing hope, resources, and a lifeline to teens and young adults navigating dark times. Today, I am proud to give a major shout-out to an organization that has been a beacon of light in this field: Teen Line. Based in Los Angeles as a program of Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, Teen Line is a truly remarkable organization. While I am based in Virginia Beach, our missions are perfectly aligned. Over the years, I have donated to Teen Line, and I continue to utilize their outstanding services to support youth here on the East Coast.

Why Teen Line is remarkable

Teen Line is not just a helpline; it is a community of, by, and for young people. Here is why I support them:

  • Peer-to-peer support: Their "listeners" are trained teen volunteers who know how to connect with peers, reducing the fear of reaching out.
  • 100+ Hours of training: These volunteers are exceptionally well-trained and supervised by adult mental health professionals.
  • Accessible support: They offer confidential support via phone, texting, and email, making it easy for teens to find help in crisis.
  • Outstanding outreach: Their dedication to combating suicide, bullying, and loneliness is unparalleled.

Our partnership: Project Your Life Matters + Teen Line

When I wrote Lifeline: Defeating Depression and Suicide Among Teens and Young Adults, I aimed to reach as many teens as possible. By partnering with Teen Line, I'm able to extend that reach. Our partnership demonstrates that mental health support has no borders:

  • Complementary goals: While I focus on authoring resources and local advocacy in Virginia Beach, Teen Line provides a national, immediate crisis response infrastructure.
  • Bridging VA & LA: I have utilized Teen Line's resources to help local teens here in Virginia.
  • Supporting the cause: Through my donations, I trust that Teen Line can continue its vital training and outreach efforts.

The partnership between Project Your Life Matters and Teen Line is not just about bringing two organizations together—it's about amplifying the message that your life matters. We are committed to providing the resources necessary to transition a teen from despair to hope. Thank you to the entire team at Teen Line for the incredible work you do.

Stories of hope: Journey from despair to healing

Specific stories from the Didi Hirsch "Stories of Hope" archives highlight the long-term journey of recovery:

Dory's path: Dory entered a recovery program in 2020. She shared that her turning point was surrendering to the process when her own way of doing things wasn't working. Today, she works as a kitchen manager, giving back to the community that helped her heal.

Mandi's eight years of sobriety: Mandi's story emphasizes that with the right support and a willingness to grow, a future full of meaning is possible. Her advice to others starting their recovery journey is, "Don't give up and don't give in."

Need Help?

Call: 800-852-8336 (6pm-10pm PT)
Text: 839863 (6pm-10pm PT)
Visit: teenlineonline.org