[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 85 (Thursday, May 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF THE VOLUNTEERS OF THE CRISISLINK HOTLINE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2008

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
service of dedicated individuals who volunteer their time to support 
CrisisLink's efforts to save lives and prevent tragedies in the 8th 
Congressional District and throughout the National Capital Region. 
Their efforts to prevent suicide are worthy of recognition.
  Since 1969, CrisisLink volunteers have provided invaluable, free, 
confidential crisis intervention services to anyone who calls their 
hotline. CrisisLink has played a major role in educating the community 
on how to recognize signs of depression and respond to the threats of 
suicide. Last year, CrisisLink volunteers donated a total of 17,000 
hours of their time, answered 30,000 calls, and saved the National 
Capital Region approximately 4 million dollars in ambulance, police, 
emergency room, and treatment costs for attempted suicides.
  In addition to CrisisLink's regional hotline, volunteers also service 
the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, NSPL--1-800-273-TALK--and 1-
800-SUICIDE. For NSPL, the help of Crisis Link volunteers is crucial. 
Answering calls to prevent tragedies are performed by volunteers and 
staff at CrisisLink as well as other independent crisis centers across 
the country.
  It is a sad fact that 56 percent of all deaths in the U.S. are due to 
suicide. In comparison, homicides make up only 30 percent of all 
deaths. While distressing, these numbers would surely be higher if not 
for CrisisLink's volunteers who help individuals in a time of crisis, 
promote stabilization, and provide resources to empower people to help 
themselves. With 20 percent of suicides attributed to veterans and 
active duty military, crisis centers are working closely with the 
Department of Veteran's Affairs through the NSPL to answer calls from 
our service members in order to save lives and prevent tragedies.
  I am very grateful to CrisisLink's current and former volunteers for 
all they do to serve the residents of Virginia's 8th District and our 
region. They are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year to help 
people when it is most desperately needed and there is nowhere else to 
turn. These volunteers give their time so that others may have the gift 
of time--time to survive a crisis, time to heal, time to live. I laud 
the efforts of these dedicated volunteers and thank CrisisLink for 
providing such a vital service to our community.

                          ____________________