Mountain States Group is excited to be managing the start-up and delivery of a Suicide Prevention Hotline for Idaho.  Among states, Idaho is 6th highest in its suicide rate.  Yet, it was the only state without an accredited suicide crisis line.  The Hotline launched on November 26th, 2012 and is handling calls from throughout the state.  The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline is committed to the prevention of  suicide in Idaho.  The Hotline provides emotional support, risk assessment, crisis intervention, linkages to local services, and/or follow-up for persons with potential suicide risk factors, empowering callers to look at options and make their own decisions.

Crisis Intervention, Assessment, Support and Follow Up

The Hotline will provide callers:

• Emotional Support
• Assessment of suicide risk
• Crisis intervention to those in imminent danger
• Linkages to local services
• Follow-up for persons with potential suicide risk factors

The Hotline’s current operational hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outside those hours, all calls to the Hotline number 1-800-273-TALK (8255) are answered by other phone responders outside of Idaho.

Volunteer Recruitment

The Hotline seeks volunteers willing to help others in their time of difficulty. We are looking for laypersons or professionals that are interested in volunteering their time to become trained crisis phone workers in a supportive, supervised, dedicated phone room model.

• Volunteers receive approximately 32 hours of training and apprenticeship and commit to one 4.5 hour Hotline shift per week for one year.
• Hotline volunteers will receive Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), further education on Idaho specific issues, and spend time shadowing in the phone room prior to taking calls.

The Hotline’s next volunteer training cycle will take place in spring 2013, with exact dates and times to be announced.

We are looking specifically for volunteers to work at the call center in Boise. We are asking for a 4.5 hour shift once a week, with a 1 year commitment. Initially, the hotline will run on a limited basis while we grow our volunteer base. The hours will be Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm. Please contact syoung@mtnstatesgroup.org for an application.

The basis for our volunteer training is the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) course. It is the only research based, best practices suicide intervention model in the world, and it is taught worldwide. It is a two-day course, and can be emotionally challenging, but also very rewarding. If you have any questions about ASIST, please contact me or find more information at www.livingworks.com.

Volunteer Requirements:

Completion of application

Attendance at one information session

2 day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)           

1 day training and presentations on Special Topics

½ day training on general policies and procedures and the iCarol software system

There will be a probationary period. It is possible that a potential volunteer will not pass the training if we do not feel that she or he is prepared. Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older and must complete a background check (the inability to pass a background check does not mean automatic disqualification, applications will be discussed on a case by case basis if necessary).

Anyone can volunteer for the hotline, professional or concerned citizen. Our ideal volunteer will be empathetic, open-minded, non-judgmental, caring, accepting, respectful, understanding, flexible, a good listener and able to take direction.

Please email completed applications to syoung@mtnstatesgroup.org.

send a paper copy to

Mountain States Group c/o Sydney Young

1607 W. Jefferson St, Boise, ID 83702

Thank you for your time and consideration in volunteering.

Please see our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/IdahoSuicidePrevention

                                               VISIT WEBSITE

ISPH Suicide Warning Signs Poster, Tri-fold Brochure and Magnet

Meridian Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council supports the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline by creating this PSA – help spread the message!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_llCtJeIcY4

The Efforts of Many Organizations Make It Possible

The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline is coming into existence due to the efforts of many organizations.  Key Hotline planners have included:

• Idaho Council on Suicide Prevention
• Suicide Prevention Action Network of Idaho
• Idaho State University Institute of Rural Health
• Department of Veterans Affairs — Boise
• Idaho National Guard
• Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
• Mountain States Group, Inc. (a nonprofit agency that will operate the Hotline)

Many organizations and individuals have also contributed funding to the Hotline’s start-up.  Significant funders include:

• United Way (Kootenai County, Southeast Idaho, and Treasure Valley)
• Idaho State Legislature
• Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
• Wells Fargo
• Saint Alphonsus Health System
• Jeret ‘Speedy’ Peterson Foundation
• Citi Cards
• Ada County Paramedics Association
• Suicide Prevention Action Network of Idaho
• Idaho National Guard