Community Corner

New Suicide Hotline Could Help with Emotional Impact of Sandy

NJHOPELINE received approximately 300 calls in its first days

Although New Jersey has the second-lowest suicide rate in the nation, a new hotline has received roughly 300 calls since it was launched May 1, according to Philly.com.

New Jersey’s suicide rate for people ages 35 to 64 increased 31 percent from 1999 to 2010, and as a result the New Jersey Department of Human Services spent $648,981 to create NJHOPELINE, Philly.com reported.

Officials have expressed concerns of the emotional impact the stress related to damage and losses from Hurricane Sandy has had and will continue to have, according to Philly.com.

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Operated by University Behavioral HealthCare at the University of Medicine and Dentistry, the hotline only uses New Jersey-based trained volunteers and professional counselors.

The service is available 24/7, and callers are connected to a live volunteer.

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Those in need of trained counselors can call NJHOPELINE or 855-654-6735.


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