Crisis Text Line
Model & Strategy
Crisis Text Line (CTL) serves anyone in crisis, providing them access to free 24/7 support and information they need, via a medium they already use and trust: text message. CTL uses new technology to address the age-old and poorly addressed issue of teen mental health. On the CTL platform, teens text one universal number which connects them to volunteer counselors across the country who are trained to offer support and professionally supervised. CTL is also able to capture data about adolescent mental health issues in the US, with the aim of improving the standard of care.
CTL is the only nationwide, free, 24/7/365 text line. No other response organization that converses with teens via text serves youth nationally, at all hours of the day, all days of the week, and all weeks of the year, for free. Additionally, CTL’s data is open and free to the public.
Nancy began her career by founding Dress for Success, an innovative welfare-to-work organization. Under Nancy’s leadership, Dress for Success grew to more than 140 affiliates in 14 countries, suiting over 1 million women. Nancy then took on the CEO role at DoSomething.org, implementing a turnaround that took the company from fledgling to thriving. DoSomething.org is now one of the biggest youth organizations in the world. When DoSomething.org began communicating with teenagers over text, the teenagers began opening up about their personal lives, many times about challenges they were facing at home or school. Nancy then realized the need for Crisis Text Line.
Nancy has been recognized by awards such as the Aspen Institute’s Crown Fellowship, Fast Company’s Social Capitalist Award, Forbes Magazine’s Trailblazer Award, and as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. She was also recently named on Fortune’s “Worlds 50 Greatest Leaders” list. Nancy studied politics at Brown University, political theory at Oxford University as a Marshall Scholar and has a law degree from New York University.
IMPACT
Crisis Text Line currently texts with more than 5,000 texters each day; over 100 million texts have been exchanged since operational launch in August 2013. Each day, Crisis Text Line triggers ~40 active rescues, calling 911 to reach someone at imminent risk of suicide or homicide.
In January 2017, Crisis Text Line launched an update to CrisisTrends.org, their site that gives researches access to the large-scale data the Crisis Text Line system holds, leveraging the data for smart system change on a broad scale leading to more-informed policies, journalism, and interventions across the crisis and mental health space.
Crisis Text Line News
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Nancy Lublin Wins 2019 Skoll Award for Social EntrepreneurshipWith suicide claiming nearly 50,000 lives in the U.S. alone every year — more than twice the toll of homicide — Crisis Text Line saw…Apr 2019 -
Grit Happens with Crisis Text Line's Nancy LublinTo succeed, entrepreneurs need a good idea, timing, money, luck. But more than anything, they need grit. Don’t confuse grit with sheer persistence; it’s not…Jun 2017 -
Caltrain, Crisis Text Line Announce PartnershipCaltrain and Crisis Text Line announced a new partnership and the now-ubiquitous “There is Help” signs with suicide hotline numbers posted at local Caltrain stations…Nov 2016 -
Crisis Text Line Helps Teens in Crisis Through High-Tech HelplineThere’s a groundbreaking way for teens to find high-tech help when they need it urgently. It’s called Crisis Text Line (CTL), and its creators found…Jun 2016
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Crisis Text Line Just Raised $23.8 Million in GrantsCrisis Text Line, a free, around the clock text-messaging support line for people in crisis, is getting a massive new round of grants from notable…Jun 2016
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Crisis Text Line Featured on WebMD's Special Report: Teens and StressWebMD recently released a special report on how teens who are dealing with stress have been using text messaging to reach out for help when…Apr 2016
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For Teens in Crisis, the Next Text Could Be a LifesaverResearchers are excited about Crisis Text Line. “Young people have been reluctant to use crisis services,” observes Anthony Pisani, a suicide prevention researcher at the University…Sep 2015
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Crisis Text Line's Texts From Teens Build Real-Time Maps of Crisis in AmericaWhen texters first send a message, they receive an automated response welcoming them, offering up the service’s privacy policy, and showing them how to opt…May 2015
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CEO of DoSomething.org Nancy Lublin Moves to Crisis Text LineAfter 12 years as chief executive of the youth volunteerism charity DoSomething.org, Nancy Lublin announced Tuesday that she is stepping down to take the helm at Crisis Text Line,…Apr 2015
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New Yorker: How Crisis Text Line Harnesses the Power of the Texts to Help TeensDepression is common among teens, and its consequences are volatile: suicide is the third leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of ten and…Feb 2015
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This panel is a DREAM TEAM. Night, all! #ElevateTheConvo @Action_Alliance @Active_Minds @AASuicidology… https://t.co/rHSc9dHCCl
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A4: Three things you can do RIGHT NOW: 1. Save 741741 in your phone *just in case* you ever need it. 2. Reach out… https://t.co/n6dsH3n0Gf
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A3: Follow the data! We <3 tech and empathy. And, we think this rockstar combo can change the game when it comes… https://t.co/0JnolfTTYC
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A2: The short answer? Absolutely everyone. The longer answer: we must center survivors and people who have histor… https://t.co/8kqdyXyZLw
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A1: Less stigma = More people getting help. It's that simple. We instituted an "always ask policy" with our texte… https://t.co/Qr79wXlQuS
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Hi, #ElevateTheConvo! We're Crisis Text Line--a free, 24/7 text line to help anyone in crisis move from a hot momen… https://t.co/qKWpu9mUGx
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Your story matters. Your voice matters. You matter.
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Kindness changes lives. One of the best ways to be a little kinder in your life? Volunteer for your community. Bett… https://t.co/THAQuK2Rps
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We know life comes with a range of emotions. We’re here for all of ‘em. #741741
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Here to remind you that we love and accept you exactly as you are.