CONTACT Listening Line Provides Support Statewide for Struggling Individuals

NEW JERSEY – New Jersey residents who are facing a crisis and in need up emotional support can access it under the expanded free CONTACT Listening Line. 

Operated by CONTACT of Mercer County, the Listening Line is now available to all New Jersey residents. For 50 years, CONTACT operated a “warmline service” for a smaller scope of residents.  But, the need for a more expansive service became apparent. 

The agency says that the Listening Line is part of the mental health crisis care continuum. The service allows trained counselors with the opportunity to reach help seekers ‘upstream,’ proactively before the individual potentially begins thinking about suicide.

Tony Ciavolella, associate executive director of CONTACT of Mercer County, said that in November 2023 made a concerted effort to expand and rebrand its free warmline service—​the CONTACT Listening Line​.  Since the launch of the CONTACT Listening Line, calls to the agency have increased by 120 percent.
 
“This program provides emotional support and compassionate listening for anyone in New Jersey who may find themselves in crisis or need someone to talk to but may not have suicidal ideations or are at imminent risk, “ said Ciavolella. ”They simply need their voice to be heard, and this invaluable service offers someone to listen to them.”
 
The CONTACT Listening Line can be reached by dialing (609) 737-3300; Monday through Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  The agency is looking to expanding hours of availability in the near future. 
“At CONTACT,  we fully understand that so many people in this country and in New Jersey are suffering. Fortunately, not all of them contemplate suicide or are at imminent risk, but unfortunately, they have serious and important issues affecting them every day, and many feel that they have nobody to talk to or listen to them,” added Ciavolella.

Elizabeth A Meyers, TAP into Bordentown
Source: https://www.nj.com/healthfit/2024/09/theyre-lonely-and-afraid-in-nj-can-this-old-school-service-help.html

CONTACT Listening Line Provides Support Statewide for Struggling Individuals

NEW JERSEY – New Jersey residents who are facing a crisis and in need up emotional support can access it under the expanded free CONTACT Listening Line. 

Operated by CONTACT of Mercer County, the Listening Line is now available to all New Jersey residents. For 50 years, CONTACT operated a “warmline service” for a smaller scope of residents.  But, the need for a more expansive service became apparent. 

The agency says that the Listening Line is part of the mental health crisis care continuum. The service allows trained counselors with the opportunity to reach help seekers ‘upstream,’ proactively before the individual potentially begins thinking about suicide.

Tony Ciavolella, associate executive director of CONTACT of Mercer County, said that in November 2023 made a concerted effort to expand and rebrand its free warmline service—​the CONTACT Listening Line​.  Since the launch of the CONTACT Listening Line, calls to the agency have increased by 120 percent.
 
“This program provides emotional support and compassionate listening for anyone in New Jersey who may find themselves in crisis or need someone to talk to but may not have suicidal ideations or are at imminent risk, “ said Ciavolella. ”They simply need their voice to be heard, and this invaluable service offers someone to listen to them.”
 
The CONTACT Listening Line can be reached by dialing (609) 737-3300; Monday through Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  The agency is looking to expanding hours of availability in the near future. 
“At CONTACT,  we fully understand that so many people in this country and in New Jersey are suffering. Fortunately, not all of them contemplate suicide or are at imminent risk, but unfortunately, they have serious and important issues affecting them every day, and many feel that they have nobody to talk to or listen to them,” added Ciavolella.

Elizabeth A Meyers, TAP into Bordentown
Source: https://www.nj.com/healthfit/2024/09/theyre-lonely-and-afraid-in-nj-can-this-old-school-service-help.html