US: Bill would fund National Parent & Youth Helpline (Includes audio)
Public News Service – March 25, 2024
The new National Parent & Youth Helpline has already taken 6,700 calls, texts and live chats since its inception in January, and now the U.S. House of Representatives is considering a bill to fund it permanently. Rep. Norma Torres, D-Calif., introduced the bill last Friday. Lisa Pion-Berlin, president and CEO of Parents Anonymous, which runs the helpline, noted how the service has been helping. “We have calls about gun violence. We have calls about suicide. We have calls about stress,” Pion-Berlin outlined. “We have calls about kids’ learning challenges. We have kids who feel lonely and depressed. We know youth suicide is up 20%.” The nation’s more than 174 million parents and youths up to age 25 can call or text the helpline at 855-427-2736 to reach a trained counselor for help with emotional issues. People can also join the live chat on the website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Also: The National Parent & Youth Helpline is here for you!: https://www.nationalparentyouthhelpline.org/
Also: H.R.7812 – To Direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a grant program to support the establishment of a national, toll-free telephone helpline to provide information and assistance to parents, caregivers, and youth to prevent child abuse and strengthen families.: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7812