THE NEWS from HQ, May 2020 Newsletter

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A Note from HQ CEO Steve Devore

It’s been a year, hasn’t it–and it’s only May! I’m thankful to have you on our team. You save lives. Think about that for just a moment: your generosity is saving lives–of real people. I’ve met one of those people and she’s alive because of you. Her 5-year-old has a mother because you saved her life.

 

Jenny, we’ll call her to protect her identity, called Headquarters last July feeling like the world would be better off without her. The volunteer counselor she talked to helped her make a safety plan to keep her alive that night. The next day, another volunteer counselor followed up with her. She found a therapist she liked, found a job she loves, and called again in January to thank the counselors at Headquarters, and you, for “saving her life,” (her words) that night.

 

Today, however, she is losing hope and again calling Headquarters for support. She’s been out of work for a month. Her employer promises to bring her back “as soon as this is over,” but the uncertainty plagues her.

 

Jenny isn’t alone. Uncertainty is a breeding ground for anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and hopelessness. Demand for Headquarters’ crisis services is increasing. We believe that this trend will continue not only while we’re sheltered-in-place, but long after as the economy recovers, and we all heal.

 

Your friends and neighbors need your help. Jenny needs your help. Overwhelmed healthcare workers, first responders, farmers, truckers, small business owners, food service workers, and many more need you. They need a place to call, feel heard, validated, and find hope.

 

You can make a massive difference in the lives of others. We need you more than ever. Will you make a life-saving donation? Chances are you’ll even be helping someone you love. Give them hope today for a better tomorrow.

 

On behalf of our volunteer counselors, volunteers-in-training, staff, board of directors, and every person who reaches out from our community for help, thank you,

 

–Steve

 

Steve Devore

President and CEO, Headquarters, Inc. 

News and Resources

A new study out in The Lancet Psychiatry suggests that suicide rates will rise.

In their comment, the authors write: “Suicide is likely to become a more pressing concern as the pandemic spreads and has longer-term effects on the general population, the economy and vulnerable groups.

“Preventing suicide therefore needs urgent consideration. The response must capitalize on, but extend beyond, general mental health policies and practices.”

 

Article: “Governments urged to act now to prevent coronavirus suicide risk”
by University of Bristol and featured in Medical Express

 

When you see articles like this one, “Feeling the pressures of the pandemic: Suicide hotlines see 800 percent spike in calls” by Caitlyn Shelton, remeber that people reaching out for help is hopeful. Knowing that others are in pain can feel overwhelming for many of us, but calling the Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255, chatting online at CrisisChat.org, or texting KANSAS to 741-741 means that people are seeking help–there is hope.

 

If you or someone you know is struggling, there is hope. Please call HQ at 785-841-2345 or 800-273-8255.

 

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#GivingTuesdayNow is a new global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 – in addition to the regularly scheduled Dec 1, 2020 #GivingTuesday – as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.

 

We’re asking you to get on your social media and help raise funds for the most seriously impacted local causes of this pandemic. Starting a fundraiser on Facebook is incredibly easy, just visit the Facebook fundraising page and click “Raise Money for a Nonprofit,” then start typing, “Headquarters Counseling Center,” or “Kansas Suicide Prevention Resource Center.” Click select and go!

 

Not on Facebook? Not sure how to start a fundraiser? No problem! We have a toolkit that you can use to help you post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn–not to mention that you can make your own TikTok and use text-to-donate codes!

 

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Virtual Volunteer Info Sessions start soon! 

 

If you’ve ever thought about joining HQ as a volunteer counselor, now is the time! We have four upcoming Information Sessions for our summer training groups. Visit the volunteer page to learn more or to sign up.

 

You can also visit our Facebook Event and share it with others.

 

Crisis Center Updates:

 

We are beyond thrilled to have 19 new volunteer counselors answering calls very soon! 

 

These volunteers have undergone nearly 100 hours of training over the last nine weeks, through Pandemic and everything! Our amazing trainers were able to shift to training via Zoom and take on extra role-plays to get these caring and compassionate folks ready to take calls in the HQ crisis center.

A few new faces

 

In addition to our call center volunteers, we have 3 new chatters joining the team.

 

Last summer, through a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline grant, HQ is now taking online chats through CrisisChat.org eight-hours per day, seven days per week; previously three hours per day, four days per week.

 

Coming up next month, we have a pretty huge announcement that we’ve been working on for some time. Stay healthy and stay tuned!

HEADQUARTERS INC

P.O. Box 999
Lawrence, KS 66044

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