We are still in the thick of COVID-19’s challenges. As the virus peaks again across the country, more people are experiencing pandemic fatigue and many people who were emotionally fine in the early months are now feeling the long-term strain of worry and isolation. This month please join us in supporting Lines for Life, a regional non-profit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide, and promoting mental health for all. Lines for Life is available for crisis support 24/7/365 to intervene with personalized help. Away from the phone lines, Lines for Life educates, trains, and advocates to prevent issues of substance abuse, mental illness, and thoughts of suicide from reaching crisis levels.

Mental health struggles, substance abuse and loneliness are all on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and Lines for Life needs community support more than ever to continue providing high-quality, essential services. Their 24-hour specialized helplines include a suicide lifeline, an alcohol and drug helpline, a military helpline, a youthline, and a senior loneliness line. In addition they contract with healthcare organizations to provide their patients after-hours or follow-up telephone crisis support.

Alcohol and Drug support line: Non-judgmental listening, and compassionate support for anyone dealing with alcohol and drug use or addiction.

Loneliness line: Staff specially trained in working with older adults provide support, resources, or just listen. This line is available to adults 55 and over experiencing loneliness, isolation, depression or anxiety.

Youth line: From 4-10 pm teens can talk to other teens about any problem they may be facing, big or small, with adults answering the phones during other times. Teens can also text, email or chat online with staff members, providing options no matter how they feel most comfortable communicating.

Military line: Free, confidential support for service members, veterans, and their families provided by veterans and others trained in military culture. Every day 20 veterans die by suicide. Lines for Life military line deescalates 95% of suicide phone calls received. Other calls include concerns around finances, PTSD, employment, and relationships.

Behavioral Health Support Line (also known as Safe + Strong Oregon): Immediate, no-cost behavioral health screening, counseling services, and referrals to available mental health and substance use recovery providers nearby for on-going care. Often times, by the time people realize they need help and try to find a mental health provider or substance use recovery program they are in urgent need. They don’t have the capacity or time to go through the process of finding help and waiting for an appointment. This help line will connect callers with a clinician to speak with immediately. The clinician will narrow the search and recommend providers, and stay in touch until the right provider is found and care is established. This line is also available to those not in crisis, but feeling worried, upset, overwhelmed or otherwise in need of a compassionate ear.

Lines for Life also works to prevent drug and alcohol abuse through their training programs that equip schools and communities to identify and assist people at risk of suicide, and to respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse. They work to reduce prescription drug misuse, abuse and overdose by working with legislators and community partners to create expanded pharmacy drug disposal programs, limit teen exposure to drugs and alcohol and minimize access to chemicals used in illegal drugs.

Drs. Nicole and Shireesh Bhalerao are active members of the Oregon Public Health Association, and are dedicated to being not just Chiropractors, but stewards of public health. During the month of January Equilibrium will match in-office donations to Lines for Life. Your donation will help Lines for Life meet the need in our community and save lives. For more information and to donate directly (unmatched) check out Lines for Life’s website.