Amid the numerable losses that Family Service Agency has suffered as a result of the economic downturn are the funds we need to keep up our suicide prevention & crisis hotline.

For more than 35 years, every day, 24-hours a day, Marin’s Suicide Prevention & Crisis Hotline has offered a warm hand of hope to those who need it the most.  The Hotline operates the county’s only 24-hour suicide/crisis telephone counseling service, responding to nearly 10,000 calls for help each year.

In addition, because bereavement is a major factor in suicide, the Hotline’s Grief Counseling Program (developed 32 years ago with the support of the Marin Coroner’s Office) provides intensive, no-fee counseling to Marin residents who have lost a loved one.  Working closely with the Coroner’s Office, more than 300 families are contacted and offered support after the death of a family member each year.

Before the implementation of the hotline 35 years ago, Marin County’s rate of suicide was three times the national average. Studies show that today, we are consistent with statistics for the rest of the country. This just shows how providing support to those who feel lost and hopeless does make a difference. Studies show that 90% of people who commit suicide suffer from depression, anxiety, addiction, or other disorders. If we can provide more funding for our prevention hotline and publicize its availability, more people can get the help they need before it’s too late.

You can make a difference by donating here: https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=3711

Take good care of yourself! All the best.

Alissa Steiner