FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY DO PEOPLE CALL TEEN LINK?
People call Teen Link for all types of reasons. About 10 percent of the calls deal with suicide. The remaining 90 percent are about topics like relationships, problems at school, drugs and alcohol, grief and loss, dating violence, family problems, eating disorders, etc. At Teen Link no problem is too big or too small. If someone needs to talk our volunteers are there to listen and give access to various referrals for help.
WHO ANSWERS THE PHONES?
The Teen Link line is answered by professionally trained teen volunteers between the ages of 15 and 20. These dedicated volunteers come from all over King County to answer the line.
I TALKED TO SOMEONE ON THE LINE LAST NIGHT, CAN I TALK TO THEM AGAIN?
Due to having about 30 teen volunteer phone workers in our program, it is extremely difficult to talk to the same phone worker more than once on the line. All of the volunteers have gone through an extensive amount of training and are happy to talk to you about whatever you are dealing with.
DOES THE LINE HAVE CALLER ID?
No. Teen Link is a completely confidential and anonymous help line. This means that whatever is talked about on the phone stays between the caller and Teen Link.
WHAT IF I NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE AND THE LINE ISN'T OPEN?
Unfortunately, Teen Link is only open between the hours of 6PM-10PM. After hours, callers have the option of being transferred to the 24 hour Crisis Line or leaving a message on the Teen Link voicemail. Because of confidentiality, the phone workers will not leave a message when returning calls unless the caller specifies that this is okay.
WHAT IS THE CRISIS CLINIC?
Crisis Clinic is a non-profit organization that provides a number of services in King County, including Teen Link. It is most known for operating the 24 Hour Crisis Line and the 211-Community Information Line.
WHAT ARE "WHERE TO TURN FOR TEENS GUIDES" AND HOW CAN I GET SOME?
Where to Turn for Teens is a resource guide that was created specifically for youth who are seeking personal empowerment with the support of others. It is very much like a yellow pages for King County teens. To find out how to get copies or, for more information, click here.
HOW CAN I SCHEDULE TEEN LINK TO SPEAK TO MY CLASS?
Teen Link offers Youth Suicide Prevention Presentations to schools and agencies serving youth in King County. To arrange a presentation/training on suicide prevention or another topic for your classroom or agency, look in the Presentations Section of our site.
ARE THE PHONE WORKERS SUPERVISED?
Yes. A professionally trained adult over the age of 21 always supervises the phone workers on the line.
WHAT KIND OF TRAINING DO THE PHONE WORKERS RECEIVE?
Teen Link phone workers must complete two weeks of training before they can take calls on the line. The training focuses on a variety of topics that come up on the phones including relationships, drugs and alcohol, sex, pregnancy, grief and loss, suicide, and self-harm.
IS TEEN LINK A CHAT LINE?
No. Teen Link is a help line designed to be a resource for youth to talk to their peers in a safe, confidential environment about any stress they’re dealing with. Although the phone workers are there to talk to callers about whatever is on their mind, it is not meant to act as a social line for meeting teens or dating.
HOW CAN I GET TEEN LINK POSTERS FOR MY CLASSROOM?
Call Crisis Clinic’s business office at 206-461-3210 and ask for a Teen Link staff member. If you do not reach someone immediately, please leave a message with your name, the school’s name, an address, and telephone number. Once we have the information, a staff member will process your request.