This article was inspired by Lines for Life’s 2024 Annual Report. To read more about our work in 2024, download the full report here.
What if the person most qualified to help a struggling teenager wasn’t a licensed therapist or counselor, but another young person who truly understands what they’re going through? This simple yet powerful idea drives YouthLine, a peer-to-peer crisis and support service that connects youth with trained volunteers their own age.
The results speak volumes: YouthLine answers tens of thousands of contacts from young people seeking help, hope, and human connection.
When Peers Help Peers, Magic Happens
YouthLine operates on a fundamental truth that adults often overlook—sometimes young people need to hear from someone who gets it. The service provides free, confidential support through phone, text, chat, and email for youth ages 10-24. Every interaction is handled by carefully trained volunteers who bring lived experience, genuine empathy, and professional skills to each conversation.
The program spans four call centers across Oregon, including locations in Portland, Bend, Warm Springs, and the newest addition at McDaniel High School in East Portland. This expansion, developed in collaboration with Portland Public Schools, reflects the growing national demand for youth-focused mental health support.
These satellite centers serve a crucial purpose beyond capacity building. They eliminate barriers that might prevent young people from volunteering, such as transportation challenges. Through the work study program, YouthLine also provides stipends to youth for whom volunteering would otherwise create financial hardship.
Meeting Youth Where They Are: Social Media Intervention
YouthLine recognized something that many mental health organizations missed: young people in crisis often turn to social media first. The Safe Social Spaces initiative responds to this reality by actively monitoring platforms where youth share their struggles.
Social media crisis intervention specials reach out directly when they encounter posts about suicide or self-harm. They offer compassionate support and connect young people with resources. This proactive approach has yielded remarkable results:
- Contacted and provided resources to thousands online.
- Engaged in support and safety planning conversations across platforms.
- Successfully de-escalated individuals considering suicide and self-injury.
- Conducted emergency rescues with local first responders when needed.
Research from Oregon Health and Science University found that the Safe Social Spaces program may have prevented significant numbers of suicide attempts. These numbers represent real young people whose lives took a different trajectory because someone noticed and cared enough to reach out.
Building Skills While Building Careers
YouthLine volunteers receive comprehensive training, including nationally recognized suicide intervention and youth mental health curriculum. They earn certifications and develop professional skills that extend far beyond crisis support. These young people learn to navigate HIPAA regulations and electronic health records while providing life-saving support to their peers.
The impact on volunteers themselves is profound. Over half of YouthLine’s alumni have pursued careers in behavioral health or education. The program serves as both a service to communities and a pipeline for tomorrow’s mental health workforce.
This dual purpose expanded through a partnership with the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health at the University of Oregon. Undergraduate students now integrate YouthLine training and service into their academic coursework, receiving Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and spending months answering contacts as part of their studies.
Reaching Beyond Crisis Lines
YouthLine’s influence extends into classrooms and communities through strategic outreach efforts. Volunteers teach classes on suicide prevention, stress, and healthy coping skills as part of school health curriculum. The peer-to-peer approach ensures messages resonate in ways that traditional adult-led presentations often cannot.
These sessions accomplish multiple goals. They destigmatize mental health conversations, develop practical coping skills, increase help-seeking behavior, and introduce students to YouthLine services. When young people see their peers confidently discussing mental health, barriers begin to dissolve.
Currently, hundreds of active volunteers contribute thousands of hours annually across crisis support, community outreach, and classroom education. This represents an extraordinary commitment from young people who choose to dedicate their time to supporting others.
A Model for the Future
YouthLine demonstrates that young people possess remarkable capacity for supporting one another when given proper training, supervision, and resources. The program challenges traditional assumptions about who can provide effective mental health support while delivering measurable results.
As mental health challenges among youth continue to rise, peer-to-peer models offer scalable, culturally responsive solutions. YouthLine proves that the most powerful interventions often come from understanding, empathy, and shared experience rather than degrees and credentials alone.
For youth seeking support, YouthLine offers multiple ways to connect:
- Call: 877-968-8491
- Text “teen2teen” to 839863
- Chat: www.theyouthline.org
- Email: [email protected]
In a world where young people often feel misunderstood or unheard, YouthLine creates space for authentic connection and support. Every conversation, text message, and social media interaction reinforces a simple but powerful message: you matter, help is available, and you are not alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can contact YouthLine for support?
YouthLine provides free, confidential support to youth ages 10-24. No concern is too small, and support is available even when someone isn’t in crisis.
Are YouthLine conversations confidential?
Yes, YouthLine maintains strict confidentiality standards. Conversations are private unless there is immediate danger to safety, in which case trained staff follow established protocols to ensure appropriate help.
How are YouthLine volunteers trained?
Volunteers receive over 65 hours of comprehensive training, including nationally recognized suicide intervention and youth mental health curriculum. They earn certifications and develop professional skills while providing peer support.
Can I volunteer with YouthLine if I’m under 18?
Yes, YouthLine welcomes volunteers that are at least 15 years old.
What makes peer support different from talking to an adult counselor?
Peer support offers shared experience and understanding that can feel more relatable and less intimidating. Young people often connect more easily with peers who understand their generation’s unique challenges and perspectives.
Is YouthLine available 24/7?
YouthLine operates extended hours to provide support when young people need it most. For specific availability, visit www.theyouthline.org or call 877-968-8491.
YouthLine provides peer-to-peer support by phone, text, chat, and email from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. Pacific Time every day of the year. From 10:00 to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time, calls are answered by specially trained adult clinicians who are prepared to support youth.
How can schools or organizations partner with YouthLine?
YouthLine collaborates with schools and community organizations through outreach programs, classroom presentations, and partnership opportunities. Contact YouthLine directly to explore collaboration possibilities.
