Program: IMAlive Online

KBHC has partnered with To Write Love on Her Arms to create IMAlive , the first live online crisis network with 100% of its staff certified and trained in crisis intervention. The hope of IMAlive is to provide online support to people in crisis who are unwilling or unable to make phone calls to our Hopeline Network. The same people who are trained to provide telephone support will now be able to provide the online support that millions of people need.

The Issue:

•  19 million Americans struggle with depression. 2/3 of those who struggle never seek treatment.

•  Untreated depression is the leading cause of suicide.

•  Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24.

•  There are an estimated 840,000 suicide attempts in America each year. 

Studies show that compared to telephone and face-to-face communication, people are most comfortable and willing to reach out for help online via written communication. More than ever, people are communicating through instant messaging and phone texting. The primary current forms of crisis intervention and suicide prevention are telephone hotlines and face-to-face (i.e. counseling and treatment centers).

There is a tremendous need for an online network.

The Plan:

1-800-SUICIDE, who has responded to more than 3 million crisis calls since 1998, is partnering with To Write Love on Her Arms in the effort to significantly reduce stigma in youth. TWLOHA has an online audience of over 500,000, and has responded to more than 100,000 messages from people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide since 2006. Together we plan to provide youths and at-risk populations the ability to access crisis and suicide prevention and other services, anonymously on the Internet.

We are currently recruiting 1,000 volunteers to launch IMAlive . Each volunteer will undergo a minimum of 50 hours of training, as well as a series of tests and screenings administered by the QPR Institute. Training costs $250 per person with a commitment to work a minimum of 4 hours per week for 1 year.

If you are interested in becoming more involved with IMAlive, please carefully review the frequently asked questions about the project and email volunteer@hopeline.com to schedule your interview.