Concern Hotline

Our last conversation of the year featured Rusty Holland from Concern Hotline. He explained the history and purpose of Concern Hotline, a local philanthropic initiative established in 1968 to support those in crisis, particularly veterans returning from the Vietnam War. He highlighted the hotline's role in providing a platform for people to share their struggles and the importance of giving them trained listeners to help them through their challenges. Rusty emphasized the hotline's significance during the holiday season, a time when people often experience emotional distress. We discussed the emergence of the national lifeline number, 988, and the importance of educating people about its availability. Rusty highlighted the issue of isolation as a significant concern in behavioral health, a consequence of the pandemic, stressing that their role is not to advise but to offer support. We discussed the dynamics of family gatherings and how they can be a source of distraction from important issues. Rusty spoke metaphoically of the mask people often wear during the holidays and the emotional overload it can cause. He stressed the importance of not feeling alone and the help available. Rusty shared his personal strategies for maintaining positivity and self-improvement, and mentioned that Concern Hotline has trained over a hundred social workers in 2023. We also discussed the importance of recognizing and responding to "invitations into their suicide story" and the need for people to help others. Rusty mentioned upcoming training programs and the transition towards 988 services.  Learn more on their website: https://concernhotline.org/ and follow them on Facebook.