180’s 2ND FLOOR YOUTH HELPLINE

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Dear Friends of 180,

As a mother myself, I know that our children and young teens don’t always turn to a parent when they need advice or are having challenges as they grow up. It’s not uncommon for young people to have obstacles that leave them feeling uncertain as they transition into adulthood. However, the reality is that children and teens need many options and supportive resources including their parents. While we may not be able to change the things that make our young people stressed, 180 Turning Lives Around is making it easier for them to get help. I encourage all parents to share with their child this information regarding 180’s 2NDFLOOR Youth Text and Helpline and make sure our app is on their phones.

 2NDFLOOR’s phone number to call or text is 888.222.2228. The 2ND FLOOR app can be downloaded for free at the App Store. 2NDFLOOR is accredited by the American Association of Suicidology and is a confidential and anonymous phone and text helpline which is available 24 hours, 7 days a week to New Jersey youth and young adults. 2NDFLOOR helps youth find solutions to the problems they face ranging from family struggles and bullying, to child abuse and suicide. 2NDFLOOR ensures that there is a safe place to turn regardless of the issue. We receive calls, texts and outreach daily with concerns and questions such as the following:
“I can’t help feeling so depressed.”
“My girlfriend mentioned wanting to kill herself.”
“I’m being bullied on social media.”
“I wish that I was this happy on the inside.”
“I think my friend might be doing drugs.”

At 2NDFLOOR there is always a caring and professionally trained person ready to listen. We ensure a safe exchange in an environment where youth are comfortable communicating whether by text messaging or phone. Youth have many options to access our help including:

May 17, 2018 is International Child Helpline Day. This year the focus is on using technology to support more youth worldwide. At 2NDFLOOR, technology is something we use every day to make getting help easy and accessible.
With the support of our community we plan to continue using technology to support and help youth as they navigate their world. If you would like to learn more about 2NDFLOOR, volunteer, or make a donation to support our youth outreach in our schools and community, please contact us here.

Sincerely,

Anna Diaz-White

Executive Director

180 Turning Lives Around, Inc.

Just A Few Important Reasons to Support 180 and our Sexual Violence Programs

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1. On average 2 rape survivors come forward to 180 each day seeking counseling and other services – over 70 per month.
2. In the past 3 months, over 213 sexual assaults have been disclosed to 180 counselors. Funds raised through 180’s Annual Celebration ensure there is a counselor available for each phone call 24 hours a day, seven days per week. 
3. 180’s rape hotline calls are up 15% since last year with many being triggered by the #MeToo movement. More victims need more services and 180 needs more funding to keep up with the increase.
4. 3,000 domestic and sexual violence phone calls have been received since July 2017 – 50% of which have been emergency/crisis calls.
5. Teens under the age of 18 comprise over 20% of callers – almost all female. 180’s caring response to teens involve counselors especially trained and licensed in this area.180’s 2nd Floor Youth Helpline (2NDFLOOR), and our school based educational and outreach program, ensure that young victims have a place to disclose and receive the help they need.
6. The NJ State Uniform Crime Report for 2015 (last year available currently) indicates only 15 police reported sexual assaults in Monmouth County yet 180 Turning Lives Around had 103 rapesreported to us that same year.
7. Sexual assault is the most under-reported crime, yet 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men will be sexually assaulted at some point in their lives.
8. In the past 12 months, our school outreach program related to safe dates and healthy relationships conducted over 138 presentations and workshops reaching over 3,033 students throughout Monmouth County.
9. Over 12,000 hours of counseling and support were provided by trained staff last year for our statewide youth helpline,
2NDFLOOR. The most popular topics discussed were dating and relationships as well as sex and sexuality.
10. Our phones rang 16,500 times and staff texted over 3,500 times. 2NDFLOOR’s website saw over 72,000 page views.
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