He holds a sign saying “Hungry.” She comes to work with a bruise—again. His limited English hinders his search for work. Her tears won’t stop as she thinks about her husband, dying of cancer. Help is out there, but people need to know how to get to it. You can provide the roadmap. Carry a list of hotline numbers. The list should start with “2-1-1,” offering referrals in various languages for food, shelter, senior services, addictions, counseling, and other needs. It should then list several 800-numbers that offer help for child or elder abuse, addictions, suicide/depression, runaway youth, domestic violence, and families facing grave illness.
Give a list to people in crisis, not pointing to any specific number except 2-1-1, and let them choose either to make the call or to just keep the list to empower them when they’re ready to get help. If the moment is right, offer your cell phone and some privacy for the call. It may take just your simple, unobtrusive act to save a life.
I’ll be happy to send you a Hotline list–contact me at [email protected].