INDIANAPOLIS, IN (September 6, 2022) — The Countrywide Federation of State Significant School Associations (NFHS) has partnered with Crisis Text Line (CTL) to inspire psychological well being guidance for teenagers throughout the region. Disaster Text Line delivers free, 24/7, superior-high quality textual content-primarily based mental wellness help and crisis intervention in English and Spanish by empowering a neighborhood of properly trained volunteers to assist people in their times of need.
This partnership aligns with the 2021-2025 NFHS Strategic Plan and the NFHS Board of Administrators Priorities, each of which have discovered University student Mental, Psychological and Actual physical Wellness as one particular of the most crucial spots of problem in higher university sporting activities and carrying out arts plans.
“The final several yrs have been specially demanding for lots of college students in substantial university activity packages, with the pandemic and other pressures felt by students now,” said NFHS CEO Karissa Niehoff. “We are glad to be ready to offer you an additional avenue of assistance for students nationwide by this partnership with Crisis Textual content Line. We will need to allow college students know there are people today who can assist in times of require.”
Disaster Text Line encourages mental perfectly-staying for persons, where ever they are. People today are inspired to textual content a key word to 741741 if they are going through a mental health and fitness crisis – anything from suicidal ideas or abusive relationships to tough conversations with parents or nervousness about school workload. At any time, texters can hook up with volunteer Disaster Counselors who will provide private aid. Crisis Text Line lately expanded its support to include Spanish language guidance, getting the initial organization to give free, textual content-based psychological overall health support for Spanish speakers in the United States.
“We certainly admire the perform NFHS does for scholar-athletes by selling regard, integrity and sportsmanship as well as fostering the inclusion of diverse populations,” mentioned Dena Trujillo, CEO at Crisis Text Line. “Our target is to present all teenagers with textual content-centered psychological wellbeing assistance 24/7 so they under no circumstances experience by yourself.”
This agreement furthers the connection between the NFHS and Disaster Textual content Line that began at the 2019 NFHS National Pupil Leadership Summit in Indianapolis. Attendees of the Summit were being furnished bag tags advising people in crisis to text the key phrase “SHIELD” to 741741. The NFHS will proceed to boost the use of “SHIELD” as its key word via this settlement.
Though individuals of any age can use the support, about 70 per cent of Crisis Textual content Line’s texters are beneath the age of 25.
“The NFHS is psyched about this romance since it provides an fantastic resource not only for the youthful individuals in our nation’s educational facilities, but for our member point out associations who will be in a position to obtain details on the concerns influencing students in their states,” claimed Elliot Hopkins, NFHS Director of Athletics and University student Products and services. “Identifying these challenges tremendously affect the focused response. We want to promote this choice to individuals who need assist and encouragement.”