Safe Social Spaces program run by Lines for Life uses social media to help youth in crisis

Think Out Loud

For the past five years, Oregon’s Lines for Life has been running a youth program called Safe Social Spaces. Now an OHSU study published in the journal Psychiatric Services suggests the program may have prevented more than 160 suicide attempts since it began. The program uses social media to find youth struggling with suicidal ideation and provide support through the social media’s direct messaging systems. We hear more from Angie Nielsen, the nonprofit’s YouthLine assistant director of clinical operations who co-authored the study, and gen castle, a social media crisis intervention specialist.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text 9-8-8 to reach the suicide and crisis lifeline or contact the YouthLine. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.