BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline (ISPH) has expanded support for Idahoans in crisis and needs help staffing Volunteer Crisis Phone Responder shifts. To provide this support, ISPH is delivering more outbound follow up contacts than ever, partnering with emergency departments, behavioral health hospitals and crisis centers throughout Idaho to offer structured support for persons discharged from these institutions.
During follow-up calls, ISPH assesses safety, provides reminders for scheduled appointments, provides emotional support and connects people with community resources. Research shows the risk of a suicide attempt or death is highest within 30 days of discharge from an Emergency Department (ED) or inpatient psychiatric unit, and up to 70 percent of patients leaving ED’s after a suicide attempt never attend their first outpatient appointment.
ISPH's average number of monthly outbound follow-up support activities is up 30% from 2018. Offering outbound support calls, combined with ever higher inbound call numbers, requires trained responders. So far this year, ISPH has fielded over 12,600 inbound crisis contacts.
More Idahoans are reaching out for help, and our team of dedicated volunteers are critical to meet this growing need. ISPH provides excellent training and meaningful experience for those 18+ years old. The hotline seeks good listeners with basic computer literacy/skills. Every shift is supervised by knowledgeable staff in the supportive environment of our crisis phone room in Boise.
Applications are due by December 30, 2019 and training begins January 16, 2020. To learn more about this rewarding volunteer opportunity, call or email Alex McNish at 208-258-6992 / amcnish@jannus.org; or visit www.idahosuicideprevention.org to apply.
