[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF CRISISLINK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 2009

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to rise 
today to recognize an outstanding organization serving Northern 
Virginia. CrisisLink is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to crisis 
prevention, intervention, and response. Since its founding in 1969, 
CrisisLink has evolved to become an invaluable resource to our 
communities.
  Originally founded as a hotline for Arlington teens, CrisisLink was 
incorporated in February 1970 as the around-the-clock Northern Virginia 
Hotline. Just ten years ago, the name of the organization was changed 
to reflect the extended mission and range of services that CrisisLink 
has continued to provide. CrisisLink now has the ability to refer 
callers to over 4,400 resources located in Northern Virginia that can 
help callers address the problems and situations affecting their lives.
  CrisisLink is experiencing a huge increase in demand for its 
services. Over the past twelve months, the volume of suicide-related 
calls has increased by 60% when compared to the twelve month period 
immediately prior and increased by 150% when compared to five years 
ago. CrisisLink's hotlines are staffed for sixteen hours every day by 
highly trained volunteers. These volunteers contribute over 15,000 
hours of service every year. Virginia Hospital Center provides in-kind 
contributions totaling over $500,000 each year including providing 
$50,000 worth of space for programs.
  Although CrisisLink is often noted for its role as a suicide and 
crisis intervention hotline, it also provides a number of programs that 
extend its reach throughout the community. CrisisLink added a 2-1-1 
number to serve as a central number to help connect those in need with 
information on community resources and health and human services. The 
2-1-1 call volume has increased by 50% since July 2008. Over 30,000 
calls to the CrisisLink hotline and the 2-1-1 number will be answered 
this year alone.
  CrisisLink's programs are estimated to save the Greater Washington 
region over $4,320,000 in ambulance, police, 9-1-1, hospital, and 
follow-up costs by preventing suicide attempts throughout the region. 
This financial savings multiplies as localities are able to apply these 
saved resources to greater preventative and proactive measures.
  The Tara Sirmans Survivor HOPE program was launched in September 
2006. The Help and Outreach for Prevention and Education (HOPE) program 
works with families and loved ones to help them as they struggle with 
the intense grief experienced following a suicide or other form of 
sudden and traumatic loss. Through peer support, workshops, and 
survivor support groups, the HOPE program works to assist families and 
friends through the most difficult of situations.
  In 2008, Washingtonian Magazine recognized CrisisLink as one of the 
top charities in the Washington region. CrisisLink was also the 
recipient of the first ever ``National Award for Crisis Center 
Excellence'' for its works responding to the September 11th attack on 
the Pentagon.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 
contributions of CrisisLink over its 40 years of existence. CrisisLink 
saves lives and prevents tragedies. Perhaps someday our society will no 
longer need services such as CrisisLink, but until that day, we are 
grateful for their selfless and critical service. I ask my colleagues 
to join me in paying tribute to the dedicated staff and volunteers who 
are so deserving of our recognition for their commitment to helping 
those in their time of need.

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