Benefit skateboarding competition to promote suicide prevention among youth.

HopeLine, Inc., a Triangle-based nonprofit providing free suicide prevention and crisis intervention help through its crisis line and Teen TalkLine, along with Coalition Skate Co., will host the third annual Skate for Life event on Saturday, May 11, from 11:00 a.m. until dusk at Marsh Creek Skate Park at 3016 North New Hope Road in Raleigh. The skateboarding competition will be held in honor of local teens and young adults who have lost their lives to suicide.

“We’re aiming to bring the topics of suicide, self harm and depression into conversation, making them less taboo to talk about as well as to raise awareness of the warning signs and risk factors that people can look for in their loved ones before it’s too late,” said Courtney Worthen, executive director of HopeLine. “This annual event seeks to raise awareness about the services available and remind these kids and others that there are people who care about them and...

American Association of Suicidology: Facts about Suicide & Depression



What is Depression?

Depression is the most prevalent mental health disorder.  The lifetime risk for depression is 6 to

25%.  According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 9.5% or 20.9 million American adults suffer from a depressive illness in any given year.

There are two types of depression.  In major depression, the symptoms listed below interfere

with one’s ability to function in all areas of life (work, family, sleep, etc.).  In dysthymia, the symptoms are not as severe but still impeded one’s ability to function at normal levels.

Common symptoms of depression, reoccurring almost every day:

·         Depressed mood (e.g. feeling sad or empty)

·         Lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities

·         Significant...

Check out HopeLine's recent article featuring the the new teen chat line logo contest published in the Thumbs up section of the News and Observer of December 17th.

The average American gives 4.7% of their income to charities. And it seems the Holiday season is when most decide to support local charities and make donations. Donations come in every shape and size, some donate their time, while others donate home good and foods, or others monetarily.

“According to Charity Navigator 57% of Americans said they donate to charity in some way over the holiday season. Of those who do, 46% said they make a monetary donation directly to an organization, 64% donate to a third party like a bell ringer or store that collects donations for a charity at checkout, 24% buy gifts for people through a mitten tree or adopt-a-family program, 63% donate items like home goods or nonperishable foods, and 22% donate time by volunteering”.

Almost thirty percent of annual giving is done during the month of December, and a new tradition in the making “Giving Tuesday” aims to support the donating during the Holiday Season. This new tradition focuses on the likes of Black Friday and Cyber Monday and the idea is to get people excited about giving in the same way they might get excited about buying a big-screen TV at a bargain price. The Giving Tuesday initiative was launched by New York’s 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation to urge charities, businesses, schools and religious and community groups to give back around the holidays.

While Giving Tuesday  has already passed for this year it is still not too late to make a donation to your local charity. HopeLine is always in need of donations to help us support our growing organization and help support our community. Below is a list of the many ways you can support HopeLine:

Consider making a Memorial Gift

HopeLine accepts Memorial Gifts and gifts in honor of friends and family. We will send a card acknowledging your gift to the appropriate person. Please include the name and address of the designated person.

Matching Gifts
Many companies will match gifts you make to charities, such as HopeLine. Check with your human resources department to see if your company has a matching program and how you can use it to maximize your gift to HopeLine.

Volunteer Recognition Gifts
Some companies reward you for volunteering with a local non-profit by giving a fixed donation after you complete a number of volunteer hours. Check with your human resources department if your volunteer service qualifies.

Triangle United Way
HopeLine is a Triangle United Way member agency. During the annual Triangle United Way Campaign there is a place for you to make a specific donation to HopeLine. HopeLine's designation code is 500.

Combined Federal Campaign
Donate using the Combined Federal Campaign at their website: http://www.cfcgreaternc.org/_root/index.php?content_id=5190 and enter HopLine's designation code: 56143 to designate funds towards our organization.

State Employees Combined Campaign
Donate using the State Employees Combined campaign fund and follow the website at http://www.ncsecc.org/donate and use HopeLine's designation code: 3758 to designate funds to us

If you are looking for more information on HopeLine or are interested in donating visit our website www.hopeline-nc.org or email one of our employees at volunteer@hopeline-nc.org

References:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/27/giving-tuesday-ways-to-give_n_2198148.html

http://www.npr.org/2012/11/26/165770413/giving-tuesday-the-start-of-a-holiday-tradition

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=519

We found this WebMD article and believe many of us can benefit from using some tips on how to manage our stress during the holiday season.

By Charlotte Libov WebMD the Magazine - Feature

Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD

Denise McVey knows holiday stress all too well. To be sure, she loves the holidays: going caroling, shopping, buying cards, enjoying the first snow, and, most of all, loving the look of delight on her toddler’s face on Christmas morning. But as the days until the holidays dwindle and the lines at the mall get longer, McVey is so beset by season-induced stress that, when the New Year rolls around, she’s spent. “Colds, flu, you name it, every year I get it; I’ve had shingles eight times,” says the 40-year-old owner of a creative agency in Boonton,...

In the spirit of giving thanks HopeLine would like to thank the many people that help us continue to make a positive impact. 

It takes many volunteers to dedicate their time to being trained and to take calls on our crisis line, as well as make reassurance calls to program participants. Thank you for offering your time as well as your talents to speak with callers in an effort to give them a nonjudgmental, caring person to speak with. Your contribution is the heart of what HopeLine stands for. By giving to others you are offering a way for them to express themselves when others will not listen. Answering a call is more than just saying hello; you are saying hello hope is here. Words cannot express how much appreciation is felt for your continued support of HopeLine. Thank you.

To our supporters and funding organizations, without your contributions HopeLine would not have lasted over 40 years. That speaks volumes to the need of our services and to the significance of your support. During the last several years the economic conditions have tightened things for everyone and we are forever appreciative of the donations and funding we receive. We enjoy opportunities to collaborate during community events and relish the coming year and hope it is full of many more opportunities to strengthen our communities. Thank you.

...

1 million people die by suicide every year. They leave behind countless family members and friends to make sense of it. 

After a suicide, those left behind often:

wonder if there is anyone out there that understands need local resources for support want reliable information about suicide and its aftermath, but aren't sure where to find it The time required for healing cannot be neatly measured against any calendar. Piece by piece, you begin to re-enter the world. 

HopeLine would like to take this day to remember those lost and remind those left behind - they are not alone. 

Visit our Facebook and Twitter page to learn more about this event and join HopeLine in a Day...

As the holidays approach life can seem to throw challenges your way. Whether you are anxious about family coming and how crowed your home feels or you are thinking how will I afford to make the holidays great remember HopeLine is here to provide you a healthy outlet for your thoughts and concerns. Perhaps you feel overwhelmed and just need to let it out or just to have someone who will listen to you. With the changing of the season into colder weather when the days are darker seasonal depression can begin to creep into the minds of us all. Don't feel alone... reach out for support. For most of us we enjoy this time of year, and our families/friends too, but daily life can take its toll. Allow yourself a way to make it through the challenges as they begin to stack up. You deserve the opportunity to be heard and not to be judged because of the thoughts or frustrations you might be feeling. 

Also, this season you may notice someone know appears to be overwhelmed. Let them know if they don't feel like they have anyone to talk to, HopeLine is here, too. It might be difficult to approach someone who is resistant about discussing their feelings. You could just write them a note saying something like, "If you need someone to talk to confidentially give HopeLine a call. They are volunteers who listen without judging. The number is (919) 231-4525. Give it a try... no one will know you called." You never know what can happen when they are alone and in a quite space. They might remember the thoughtful note and call to check us out and maybe gain a sense of relief.

...

The Mayo Clinic Staff has published a brief list of symptoms of depression. The following information is provided by Mayo Clinic at the following link: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175/DSECTION=symptoms

Depression symptoms include:



Feelings of sadness or unhappiness Irritability or frustration, even over small matters Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities Reduced sex drive Insomnia or excessive sleeping Changes in appetite — depression often causes decreased appetite and weight loss, but in some people it causes increased cravings for food and weight gain Agitation or restlessness — for example, pacing, hand-wringing or an inability to sit still Irritability or angry outbursts Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements Indecisiveness, distractibility and decreased concentration Fatigue, tiredness and loss of energy — even small tasks may seem to require a lot of effort...

Media Contact:

Lauren Brown

Assistant Account Executive

S&A Cherokee

(919) 674-6020

lbrown@sacherokee.com

 HopeLine, Inc. Announces “Skate for Life” Competition to Promote Suicide-Prevention Among Youth  

Benefit skateboarding event held in memorial of two local teens

Raleigh, N.C. (March. 22, 2012) — HopeLine, Inc., a Triangle-based nonprofit providing free suicide prevention and crisis intervention help through its crisis line and Teen TalkLine, along with Rival Skateboarding, will host the second annual Skate for Life event on Saturday, May19 (rain date of May 20), from 11:00 a.m. until dusk at Marsh Creek Skate Park in Raleigh. The skateboarding competition will be held in honor of James “Dylan” McNeill (6/4/92-2/1/11) and Cody Nelson...