CONTACT providing hot line for Iraq, Afghanistan veterans

By: centraljersey.com
CONTACT of Mercer County, the nonprofit volunteer organization that provides free and compassionate listening, crisis intervention and safety services to those in need, is reaching out to military returnees from Iraq and Afghanistan and to their families with "It’s About Hope," a free 24/7 crisis hot line, "any time for any reason."
Stories of tragic events involving returning military personnel and their families are appearing in the media on a daily basis. According to the Army, suicides among active duty troops in 2007 reached the highest level on record, due partly to the stress caused by overseas deployments.
The goal of the project is to reduce suicides, reduce stress levels, raise hope, ease the transition of returned military into civilian life, help to increase family stability and show the community cares.
"It’s About Hope" provides free, anonymous, nongovernmental e-mail and telephone crisis service for military returnees and their families.
Many active military and veterans are hesitant to access governmental mental health programs because they are worried about their careers, both in the military and out. They are worried about the stigma attached to admitting they feel lonely, scared, isolated or emotionally stressed/damaged by their war experience.
The anonymity of the CONTACT project makes it "safer" for active military and veterans to describe their mental/emotional situation. The government has no access to CONTACT’s records. E-mails and calls are held in strict confidence.
Why e-mail as well as telephone?
Many returnees are young people who gravitate toward the new technology. They have a high comfort level using the Internet and e-mail. E-mail extends the communication options. If the crisis service were limited to the telephone, some at-risk people might choose not to call. CONTACT’s responding e-mail and Web site encourages these people at risk to make a telephone call.
CONTACT volunteers, including veterans, have been trained to respond to e-mails and answer the hotline, which can be reached 24/7/365 by calling 609-896-2120 or 609-585-2244.
CONTACT is an affiliate of CONTACT USA and LIFELINE.
On the Web: www.contactofmercer.org, www.contact-usa.org.