2NDFLOOR Youth Helpline, the only statewide helpline providing New Jersey youth with confidential and anonymous support, is now also available in Spanish.
The helpline, for New Jersey residents from 10 to 24, is run in conjunction with 180 Turning Lives Around, a nonprofit agency that launched the program in 2003. It expanded statewide in 2008 and now handles nearly 10,000 calls a month, the most common topics being bullying, peer relationships, mental health issues, depression/anxiety, sexuality and family struggles
Last Thursday, at an assembly at Union City High School, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno helped launch the Spanish-language line, which, for starters, will be available from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
The English-language helpline is open 24/7.
The number for both helplines is 1-888-222-2228. Callers will hear a prompt in Spanish to connect to the Spanish-language counselors.
“Regardless of where you live or what your native tongue is, young people today are subject to cyber-bullying and other pressures that were unheard of a generation ago,” Guadagno said at the assembly.
“A bilingual helpline will allow young people who do not speak English, or those who prefer to speak in Spanish, to find support and comfort no matter what their problems are,” she noted.
“Our goal is to provide Latino children and teens with the opportunity to discuss their problems and concerns with staff who speaks their language and fully understands their cultural background,” said Anna Diaz-White, executive director of 180 Turning Lives Around.
“Communicating in your native language,” she said, “makes the difference between feeling left our and feeling understood, but also allows the development of a culturally relevant plan that would resolve problems or concerns.”
Funding for the 2NDFLOOR program comes from the state Department of Children and Families and the Verizon Foundation, which is underwriting the bilingual service with a $60,000 grant.
For more information about the helpline, visit www.2ndfloor.org.
The service sponsors note that all calls are confidential and anonymous and no topic is off limits.
