HeartLine

Have you spotted HeartLine in the news lately? After the recent teen suicides in Edmond and HeartLine’s 2-1-1 Day on February 11, 2012, HeartLine has been in several recent news stories. We hope you will take a moment to check out these great stories and help us spread awareness by passing the information and links on to your friends!

The Edmond Sun

Counselor: QPR is like CPR

The Oklahoman

211 provides valuable resources for Oklahoma

News 9

Oklahoma Teen Suicides Mount

News 9

Edmond Community Bands Together After Spike in Teen Suicides

Saturday February 11, 2012, HeartLine will celebrate 2-1-1 Day in partnership with local Krispy Kreme locations.  Every time guests purchase a Double Dozen Doughnuts, Krispy Kreme will donate $2.11 to HeartLine. 2-1-1 Day will be a fun event with a moon bounce, giveaways, and HeartLine staff and volunteers available to talk with guests from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Local Oklahomans can help support their community and HeartLine by visiting one of the following locations and purchasing a Double Dozen Doughnuts:

Krispy Kreme, 13500 North Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City, OK 73134

Krispy Kreme, 1024 S.W. 74^th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73139

HeartLine 2-1-1 is a free, 24-hour phone service that provides Oklahomans access to information on any type of health or human service simply by dialing “2-1-1”. Call Specialists listen carefully to callers and make an in-depth assessment and referral plan, providing callers with one or more options. The highly trained Call Specialists at HeartLine 2-1-1 are available seven days a week, 365 days a year. HeartLine 2-1-1 has continued to see an increase in call volume every year.  HeartLine answered 50,121 calls in 2006 to more than 170,000 calls were answered in 2011.

Studies show on average, people make seven to eight calls before reaching the service organization they need. HeartLine’s referral process utilizes a comprehensive computerized database of more than 5,000 public and non-profit health and human service programs and over 2,500 government, faith-based, and non-profit agencies. “Just as 9-1-1 has become an essential part of fire, police and medical response, 2-1-1 helps meet non-emergency health and human service needs.  In times of disaster, 2-1-1 plays a vital role in protecting the community’s health and safety,” says Kelly Nutter, HeartLine’s Executive Director.

Can’t make it out to a Krispy Kreme? Go to the donate now page on 2-11-12 and donate $2.11, $21.10, or any other amount!

Tragedy has hit the Edmond community with three teen suicides in only two weeks.  Suicide is the second leading cause of death in Oklahoma for youth ages 10-24 and Oklahoma ranks 8^th worst nationally in deaths by suicide. 

HeartLine has been Oklahoma’s Community Crisis Connection for over 40 years, offering help, hope, and information 24 hours a day through 2-1-1, an information and referral line for health and human services and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK.  Lisa Harper, HeartLine’s Director of Development states, “Dealing with the loss of a friend or loved one is difficult and we encourage anyone looking for a listening ear to call into one of HeartLine’s many available lines. Also, individuals interested in finding resources for mental health providers or counseling can call 2-1-1 to receive referral information specific to their needs.  These calls will be answered right in the heart of Oklahoma City, by fellow Oklahomans that are ready and willing to listen with compassion and care.”

For schools, HeartLine offers HELP, a free youth suicide prevention initiative called the Healthy Education for Life Program. The Healthy Education for Life Program includes information on the impact of depression, school and parental issues, substance abuse and other youth-related challenges and helps identify at-risk students. The program focuses on teaching youth common warning signs of suicide and a three step action plan of how to get help individually or for a friend. Following the presentations, over 26% of youth have self-identified as being at risk for suicide or depression.  These students are directly referred for additional mental health treatment. The video-based program currently reaches approximately 5,000 Oklahoma youth annually. 

HeartLine’s HELP program is listed on the Suicide Prevention Resource Centers Best Practices Registry for its adherence to standards. Middle and High Schools in the Oklahoma City Metro Area, including areas like Edmond and Norman, can contact HeartLine to have the program brought to their school at no cost.  “HeartLine believes that education is a key to prevention,” states Kelly Nutter, HeartLine’s Executive Director. “Teaching young people the warnings signs to watch for in a friend can truly save a life.”

HeartLine, Oklahoma’s Community Crisis Connection, is only a phone call away.  HeartLine operates twenty-four hours a day through 2-1-1, the national suicide prevention lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and provides call specialists trained in crisis intervention and compassionate listening skills to speak with callers in need.   

For more information or to request a presentation, contact Harper at 840-9396, email lharper@heartlineoklahoma.org or visit http://www.heartlineoklahoma.org/.

HELP volunteer Eric Smith

Today we present a brief interview with one of our outstanding HELP volunteers, Eric Smith.  Eric has been volunteering with HeartLine for many years and even takes days of vacation from work to help us with our presentations.  We thank Eric for his support and wanted to share a little about him.  Here goes:

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Eighth of nine children, OSU graduate (BS-EET), single, Broadcast Engineer by trade/volunteer by profession (wasn’t planned that way).

What brought you to HeartLine?

…a news report. I had just joined a new company, and about a year later a strong urge came over me to volunteer, but nothing ever seemed to fit. I searched and researched for quite a while, about six to eight months or so, and then one evening, I came home and switched on the news and I saw a news report about CONTACT needing telephone listeners. And so, I called. So what brought me to HeartLine was a desire to help others who were struggling, feeling alone, and hurting.

Why did you decide to become a HELP volunteer?

Why? Because children, teens, young adults, are dying too soon for reasons that can be understood, that is, if they knew who they could talk to and given the opportunity to learn how to be open. Challenging, but to the depth of degree, I realized there soon after. And being a witness to their enlightenment about suicide–that’s why I remain.

During my listener’s training, Ronny Greenberg came and introduced us to Contact’s teen suicide awareness and prevention program, at that time called “CHOICES”. It was during his presentation that I realized as well as being a telephone listener, I wanted to be a part of something that was impacting the youth. Even though I had never taken a speech class or given any sort of presentation while in college, I knew this is where I belonged. For me, speaking in front of a group of people was something I actively avoided. Speaking it front of a group was scary and felt very daunting, especially to an audience of “highly informed” teenagers, but after I started doing it, I realized it wasn’t that bad and really started enjoying it.

What is your favorite thing about being a HELP presenter?

My favorite thing about being a HELP Presenter is witnessing the “Ah-ha” moment in the eyes of students. Suicide can be difficult to discuss without the discussion turning into a moral, immoral, or melancholic debate. However, listening to the students sharing their insights and asking questions about an often misunderstood and confusing decision that normally doesn’t come about in everyday discussions is very humbling. I mean, how often will anyone discuss the reasons why of suicide? Students want to know, and they do want to understand why their friends or loved ones died by their own hands. Mostly, when you see the hope returning to the face of a student that completely understands what you are presenting…I don’t know how to describe it.

What would you say to someone that is thinking about volunteering?

“Just do it!” That’s what I would say. Volunteering is difficult work, but it isn’t difficult because the work is hard. It’s difficult because volunteering challenges you to change, to view life as you never expected. Volunteering challenges you to think and venture outside of your comfort zone, and if you allow it, outside of your understanding. I also think for some, volunteering can be somewhat intimidating, but the rewards are immeasurable and countless, even when the discussion is the cause and effect of suicide. Volunteering, in my mind is a misconception, in that, as a volunteer, I perceive I have something to give, when in reality I have nothing to give. Everyone has their answers to their life issues. They’re just buried beneath a lot of stuff, like hurt, anger, resentment, fear, leading to a state of confusion and despair, and perhaps hopelessness, but their answers are there. Sometimes we need a little outside perspective from someone else to help clear some of the debris. If you’re thinking about volunteering, the urge has always been inside you. The thought process, you thinking about it, is only your realization that it’s there and it’s coming to life. Just do it and let it happen. You won’t regret it.

For more information about becoming a HELP volunteer, visit our Suicide Prevention and Outreach Programs page or our Volunteer Opportunities page.

HeartLine, Oklahoma’s Community Crisis Connection, needs community volunteers to help address youth suicide rates in Oklahoma. You can make a difference by becoming a volunteer presenter for HeartLine’s Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative, the Healthy Education for Life Program (HELP)! The next training session will be held on January 14^th from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Pre-registration and full attendance is required.  To sign up for this training, please contact HeartLine’s Director of Suicide Prevention & Outreach Programs, Lisa Harper, at lharper@heartlineoklahoma.org or at 405.840.9396 ext. 114.

In Oklahoma, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 – 24.  The vision of HELP is to equip Oklahoma youth with the knowledge and intervention skills to prevent youth suicide.  HELP works towards this vision by providing Oklahoma youth with an interactive, multi-faceted training. Through the combination of a video, lecture, and group activity, students learn the warning signs of suicide and how to get help for themselves or for a friend.  The video-based program currently reaches approximately 4,000 youth each year. In the 2010-2011 school year, 30.8% of students identified themselves or a friend as being at risk for depression or suicide.

HeartLine has been serving Oklahoma since 1971, and provides suicide prevention outreach programs, listening and crisis intervention services.   HeartLine’s Call Specialists are trained in crisis intervention and are available around the clock through HeartLine’s phone-based services, including 2-1-1, the 24/7 helpline 848-CARE, the Oklahoma Problem Gambling Helpline 1-800-522-4700 and two national suicide prevention lines 1-800-SUICIDE and 1-800-273-TALK.

HeartLine, Oklahoma’s Community Crisis Connection, is seeking honoree nominations for its eleventh annual Festival of Hope: an Evening of Acclamation and Admiration. Each year, HeartLine recognizes individuals, organizations, and community initiatives that have enhanced the quality of life in Oklahoma. Potential honorees can be nominated by any member of the general public. To nominate a potential honoree, complete the nomination form and return to HeartLine by January 31st, 2012.  This year’s event will be held on Friday, August 24th, 2012 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

Previous honorees have been recognized for their professional activities, volunteer efforts, or philanthropic vision, and include recipients such as Mike and Susan Turpen (’11), Tom and Lisa Price (’10), Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby (’09), The Tree Bank Foundation (’08), Oklahoma Lawyers for Children (’07), Cliff Hudson (’06), Crossings Community Church (’05), Jackie and Barbara Cooper (‘04), United Way of Central Oklahoma (’03), and Judge Nancy Coats Ashley (’02). (A full list of previous honorees can be found on the HeartLine website at http://heartlineoklahoma.org/our-events/festival-of-hope.)

HeartLine has been serving Oklahomans in crisis since 1971 and provides suicide prevention outreach programs, compassionate listening, information and referral services, and crisis intervention services. Call specialists are available around the clock answering HeartLine’s various helplines, including: 2-1-1, 848-CARE, the Oklahoma Problem Gambling Helpline 1-800-522-4700, and two national suicide prevention lines, 1-800-SUICIDE and 1-800-273-TALK.

HeartLine’s mission is to provide help, hope, and information 24 hours a day.

For more information on the Festival of Hope honoree nomination process or information on HeartLine in general contact call 405-840-9396 or email info@heartlineoklahoma.org.

The Board of Directors of HeartLine is pleased to announce the hiring of Kelly Nutter as the organization’s new executive director. 

Nutter has been with HeartLine since 2005, most recently serving as chief operating officer.  Before joining HeartLine, she was the executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Dorado, Kansas.  Nutter also served in a variety of management roles with the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas.  She holds a BS in Psychology and Human Services and a Master of Human Resources and Organizational Development, both from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas.

“We are thrilled to have Kelly as our new executive director,” HeartLine’s President Joe Hight said.  “After an extensive search process, we are confident that she brings the experience, knowledge, and leadership skills we need to ensure HeartLine moves in a positive directon.”

HeartLine’s mission is to connect Oklahomans to help, hope, and information 24 hours a day.  Since 1971, HeartLine has been providing vital services to Oklahomans in crisis.  Helping meet a wide variety of needs for all ages, HeartLine is a proud United Way partner agency with United Way of Central Oklahoma, United Way of Pottawatomie County, United Way of Stephens County, and United Way of Ponca City.  More than 100 dedicated volunteers assist HeartLine in providing vital services to Oklahomans in crisis.  HeartLine programs and services include:

Call Center Helplines

2-1-1 HeartLine’s information and referral line for health and human service needs. HeartLine answers this line for 40 counties in central and western Oklahoma 24 hours a day, seven days a week. HeartLine’s database of over 3,000 partner agencies and 6,000 individual services connects Oklahomans with help, hope, and information.

848-CARE Since 1971, HeartLine has been assisting Oklahomans in crisis through compassionate listening. Certified call specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help Oklahomans in crisis situations.

1-800-273-TALK and 1-800-SUICIDE are the two national suicide prevention lifelines answered in the state of Oklahoma by HeartLine.

1-800-522-4700 is the Oklahoma Problem Gambling Helpline, answered for the entire state by HeartLine certified call specialists. In partnership with the Oklahoma Association for Problem and Compulsive Gambling, HeartLine brings those addicted to gambling and their families help, hope and information.

Suicide Prevention and Outreach Programs

Healthy Education for Life Program (HELP)- HeartLine’s suicide prevention outreach initiative, the Healthy Education for Life Program (HELP) provides free, interactive training to increase awareness and empower students to prevent bullying and suicide among peers. Since its inception in 1997, HELP has reached over 41,000 students in the Oklahoma City metro area with its in-class presentations and seminars. HELP learning opportunities focus on dispelling the negative stigma of getting help for mental illness and suicidal tendencies, understanding the warning signs of suicide in peers, and learning how to take actions so that at-risk students are identified and receive the help they need. ASK-LISTEN-TELL is the cornerstone of HELP and is a simple and easily remembered model that students can employ if they suspect a peer is depressed or suicidal.

Fore more information on HeartLine and its programs, visit www.heartlineinc.org.

Heritage Hall Middle School student body

It was our pleasure on October 27th and 28th to visit Heritage Hall Middle School.  We had the rare treat of presenting seven HELP presentations simultaneously to seventh and eighth graders on the 27th and awarding Heritage Hall Middle School with the Audrey Hatley Award on the 28th.  Heritage Hall received the award for incorporating HeartLine’s HELP initiative into its seventh and eighth grade curriculum last year.  See the link for a gallery of photographs from the presentation.

Audrey Hatley Award Presentation 2011 Photo Gallery

A History of the Audrey Hatley Award

Each year, HeartLine recognizes a school that has placed special emphasis on health and safety education.  Recipients incorporate any of a number of public safety initiatives, such as suicide prevention and awareness, mental health education, depression screenings, substance abuse awareness, and school violence awareness, into their overall curriculum. The award is named for Audrey Hatley, a fourteen-year-old girl who took her own life. Audrey Hatley’s story is a reminder of the importance of understanding and taking action on the warning signs of depression and suicide.

HELP–the Healthy Education for Life Program

HELP, HeartLine’s Healthy Education for Life Program, provides free, interactive training to increase awareness and empower students to prevent bullying and suicide among peers. Since its inception in 1997, HELP has reached over 41,000 students in the Oklahoma City metro area with its in-class presentations and seminars. HELP learning opportunities focus on dispelling the negative stigma of getting help for mental illness and suicidal tendencies, understanding the warning signs of suicide in peers, and learning how to take action so that at-risk students are identified and receive the help they need. ASK-LISTEN-TELL is the cornerstone of HELP and is a simple and easily remembered model that students can employ if they suspect a peer is depressed or suicidal.

In 2008, HeartLine’s HELP initiative was recognized by the American Association of Suicidology Best Practices Registry for suicide prevention. The initiative includes a 20-minute video, role playing activities, an interactive story board activity, and the cornerstone of HELP: the Ask-Listen-Tell model. HELP presentations also include a brief evaluation in which students have the opportunity to self identify as being at risk for depression or suicide.

For more information about HeartLine’s HELP initiative, please contact Lisa Harper, Director of Suicide Prevention and Outreach Programs at lharper@heartlineoklahoma.org or by phone at 405.840.9396 x114.

Today we present two more stories in our continuing series. These stories are true, and they’re the kind of stories we hear every day in the call center. At times, the work we do can be a little overwhelming–there is always more need than there are resources. But when we feel discouraged, we share stories like these, stories of people who have been helped through crisis by one of our call center specialists and one of our many partner agencies.

Enjoy these stories, and know that HeartLine is making a difference every day!

Call #3

Name: Don*
Age: 72
Gender: Male
Children: Unknown
Marital Status: Married

HeartLine Number Called: 2-1-1

Need: The first words out of Don’s mouth were, “I need help.” He had never called 2-1-1 before but didn’t know where else to turn. He had just brought his wife home from the hospital after several weeks of diabetes complications. They had no food in the house, and almost all the gas in the car was gone, too. He didn’t have enough money to get gas or food, and kept telling the call specialist over and over that his wife had to have food because of her diabetic condition. “I just don’t know what to do.”

Outcome: At that time of day, no pantries in Don’s vicinity were open. The call specialist took his information and agreed to continue making calls for him. Two organizations were contacted, and Reaching Our City said it would try and help that evening. The call specialist followed up with Don the next day and learned that Reaching Our City had gone beyond its normal procedures and had delivered food to the couple that same evening.

Call #4

Name: Linda*
Age: 26
Gender: Female
Children: 2
Marital Status: Single

HeartLine Number Called: 2-1-1

Need: Linda was frantic. She called her DHS case worker at 4:00 p.m. on a Friday afternoon hysterical and with no idea how to get the help she needed. Linda was trying to make it on her own, but with a toddler and a seven-month-old baby, things were tough. She needed food and diapers for her baby but didn’t get paid again until the end of the next week. Her case worker suggested she try 2-1-1.

Outcome: Linda dialed 2-1-1 and was greeted by a caring HeartLine call specialist who was there to listen. The call specialist asked for Linda’s zip code and searched for referrals closest to her. Linda was given three referrals for her situation and was able to find the help she needed by 5:00 p.m. that same day.

*Though these stories are true, the names of the callers have been changed to protect their anonymity.