Youth Crisis Line is Not at Risk of Closing, Despite Proposed Cuts - Portland Mercury

"YouthLine provides a crisis line for youth up to the age of 24, as well as mentorship and workforce development through volunteer and internship programs. It also provides classroom education and community outreach intended to destigmatize mental health, encouraging youth to ask for help when they need it. The hotline helps young people with everything from grief over the loss of a pet, to high risk crises like suicidal ideation."

"“We are there to normalize help-seeking,” Emily Moser, YouthLine's national director, told the Mercury. “Helping a young person understand it's okay to not be okay.”"

"A letter sent April 28 and signed by Oregon congressional leaders requested that the county continue the annual funding for YouthLine's outreach, engagement, and crisis support services. “Given the profound mental health needs facing young people in our community, sustaining this highly effective support is both urgent and essential,” the letter states."

"Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson says the cuts align with state guidance about what services and programs counties should prioritize, and losing the county's contribution won't shutter the program or end county support for young people in need."

Multnomah County’s proposed budget would cut about $240,000 for YouthLine, a youth crisis prevention service operated through Lines for Life. YouthLine provides a crisis line for people up to age 24, along with mentorship and workforce development through volunteer and internship programs. It also offers classroom education and community outreach to reduce stigma around mental health and encourage help-seeking. The hotline supports youth dealing with issues ranging from grief to high-risk crises such as suicidal ideation. Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson says the cuts follow state guidance on priorities and that the program would not be shut down. Oregon congressional leaders sent a letter requesting continued annual funding, citing urgent mental health needs and suicide statistics.

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