Teen Link offers peer support to troubled teens as volunteers emphasize empathy

SEATTLE — If a teen is in crisis or just needs someone to talk to, sometimes there is no one better than another teen. Teen Link is a peer-to-peer helpline open to calls, texts and chat.

Among the volunteers is Stella Ruebel, 18. She just graduated from Ballard High School. But she hasn't forgotten her elementary school years when she says she struggled with mental health and needed professional help.

“When I was in elementary school, I had therapists who kept me in school and kept me out of some pretty difficult situations,” Ruebel said. “And I realized that not everyone has access to these therapists. I learned from my parents that it was very difficult to even go to a therapist. So I wanted to participate in this resource where everyone can get this resource for free.”

Most teens communicate via text or discuss bullying, substance use, stress, and sometimes suicide.

SEE ALSO | Learn to spot the signs of suicide

The night KOMO News visited the call line, it was clear an intense situation was playing out in one corner of the room.

Natalie Davis, substance use prevention and awareness specialist at Teen Link, explained.

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“Yeah, so what's happening is we're talking right now that signals suicidal ideation,” Davis said. “So we have our two mentors who are here tonight next to the volunteer, making sure that not only is the person on the other end of the line OK, but also that our volunteer is OK.”

If the volunteer and mentor feel the teen is unsafe, they will connect them with a professional. But in the beginning, another teen might be the most comfortable person to talk to.

SEE ALSO | Helping Children in Crisis: Mental Health Resources in Washington

“Especially with text jargon,” said volunteer Kayanne McNeill. “Little things like what abbreviations people use, or maybe we'll start talking about coping mechanisms, and someone really likes this new show, and we know that, and so we can talk about it with them .”

Teen Link says only 10% of calls involve suicide. More often than not, chatterboxes just need a friendly ear.

“I think one of the things that's so important about our line is that we can hold space and hear and just give that space to listen and empathize with people,” McNeill said.

There is a motto here that no problem is too big or too small. Whatever the reason for a call, volunteers strive to make meaningful connections.

I think I feel satisfied. Sometimes stressed. It depends on how the night goes,” Ruebel said. “But I definitely feel like I've hopefully made a difference for someone.

The Teen Link number is 866-833-6546. The call center is open seven days a week, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. If you need help outside of these hours, the suicide and crisis hotline, 988, is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.