People who have a mental health issue but don't feel comfortable talking about it on the phone now have an alternative — an online chat service staffed by a licensed clinician.
The chat line was designed to support teens who are used to web-based communication, but as it turns out, most of the users are middle-age men.
Ruth Kenzlemann, who directs the Optum Health Access & Crisis Line, has noticed a difference between callers to the crisis phone line and those who use the web-based chat line.
“People who chat in, very quickly go to their particular issue, versus on the phone, the counselor may have to draw them out a little bit," she said. "So when they reach out to chat, they are ready to dig into their issues.”
The online chat service is available Monday through Friday from 4-10 p.m.
The crisis phone line gets some 8,000 calls a month. Staff provide crisis intervention and referrals to mental health services.
The free, 24-hour Access & Crisis line is available at (888) 724-7240.
