Mental health is a serious issue that all of us should pay more attention to. Luckily, help is all around. And in many places, it's teens who are offering a lot of support.
The Teen Line in Los Angeles has been operating since 1980, but calls have been coming in rapidly due to the health crisis. "It is our mission to provide personal teen-to-teen education and support before problems become a crisis, using a national hotline, current technologies and community outreach," the website reveals.
Volunteers are unpaid, but the application and training process is very extensive. Since some teens may call in about serious issues they're experiencing, such as child abuse or suicidal thoughts, it's important to make sure the teen volunteers know how to handle every situation. The Teen Line is a great way for teenagers to get help from the people who understand them the most — other teenagers. The teens take calls from all over the world.
"It's teens helping other teens," volunteer Brandon told KCAL9. "That can really give it a feeling like you're talking to a friend."
Brandon says that they're trained to provide empathy. He became interested in volunteering due to his own struggle with mental health and has been a big part of the Teen Line for two years.
Watch the video to learn even more about how the Teen Line operates.
