(you’re able to reach the line by texting HOME to 741-741.)
Unsurprisingly, many people are reaching out for support from its volunteers amid the new coronavirus crisis.
According to the most recent data shared by Crisis Text Line, 78% of texters are experiencing anxiety.
Image courtesy of Crisis Text Line
One of these volunteers is 34-year-old Sara Schaller in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Starting this week, shell be taking on more hours to help support the growing need for available counselors.
I sent Sara a series of questions over two separate emails.
Below are her answers, edited lightly for length and clarity.
SELF: When did the new coronavirus start popping up in your conversations with texters?
I noticed a major shift in conversations about COVID-19 around the time it wasdeclared a pandemicon March 11.
That’s when the messages started becoming more about the fear surrounding the virus.
The fear grows as this virus does.
What themes are coming up a lot?
There were plenty of texters whose lives were changed overnight.
Many concerns about how to get back home.
Some were afraid to go back home, and others had no home to go back to.
People are having nightmares, I’ve noticed that.
There has also been an uptick in messages from young people in unsafe situations.
There have been some conversations with people wondering if they have COVID-19 too.
Besides the topics of conversation, what other changes have you noticed?
Now I have talked with a lot more older people.
Theres more worry about family members and losingloved ones.
A lot of mothers are worried about theirchildren.
How is Crisis Text Line preparing volunteers for this unprecedented situation?
Weve been instructed to focus on validating the fear.
Reminding texters how this is a scary and uncertain time, but they’re not alone.
It’s a global fear that we can all relate to.
Are there any positive trends youve noticed amid the anxiety?
Some texters realize they have a biggersupport systemthan they originally thought.
This has been one of the most heartwarming trends I’ve seen.
In the past, I would inquire about the texters support system: Who did they turn to?
Were there people that made them feel cared about?
It used to be that many people felt like a burden for having anxiety/depression/suicidal ideation.
Some people didn’t realize how important and wanted they were until they were quarantined and people missed them.
How is the work impacting you personally now compared to in the past?
Emotionally, the work has been a saving grace in some ways.
Conversations do hit close to home, but in a good way.
Texters don’t realize they help us too.
When it’s fear alone, it’s overwhelming.
When it’s shared, it can be lessened, and strength can shine through.
On that note, any words for prospective volunteers?
We need people more than ever.
We are not in this alone.
Volunteering has deeply impacted my life and how much joy I have derived from it.
The closest people in my life came from Crisis Text Line, and that’s one of the perks.
We are a tight and loving community.
Lately, people are quoting Mr. Rogers: “Look for the helpers.
That’s something I would say.
We need the helpers.
To learn more about becoming a crisis counselor, headhere.
