Tulsa World: Teens in crisis can 'txt 4 help'

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Teens in crisis can 'txt 4 help'
Last year, Youth Services got 489 calls

Youth Services of Tulsa has posted Safe Place signs on 154 locations in the metropolitan area so troubled and abused children know where to go during a crisis. Tulsa World file

By MIKE AVERILL World Staff Writer
Published: 10/15/2009 2:31 AM
Last Modified: 10/15/2009 5:23 AM

There's nothing to LOL about when a teen is in crisis.

In order to make its services as teen friendly as possible, National Safe Place is launching the "Txt 4 Help" program, a 24-hour text-for-support service for youth in crisis.

Starting Thursday, teens can text the word SAFE and their current address to the number 69866 to receive the address of the closest Safe Place site and the contact number for their area youth shelter.

"As technology changes, we try to keep up with what teens use and they're into texting. If that's the easiest way for kids to find out where we are and how to get help, it's a pretty good plan," said Jim Walker, executive director of Youth Services of Tulsa.

Youth Services of Tulsa implemented its Safe Place program in 1991.

The program is a collaborative effort to provide 24-hour easy access to young people in dangerous, threatening or vulnerable situations.

Locally there are more than 190 Safe Places — including all Tulsa metro-area QuikTrip stores; fire stations in Tulsa, Bixby, Berryhill, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Keystone, Owasso, Sand Springs and Skiatook; police departments in Broken Arrow and Sand Springs; and all Tulsa Transit buses.

"Companies train their employees what to do if a young person walks in and says 'I need help,' " Walker said.

Youth Services has employees listed by area of the city so that employees at a Safe Place can call and have them meet with the youth.

"In most cases they drive the person to a shelter where professional staff take over and parents and officials, if needed, become involved," Walker said.

Last year, Youth Services volunteers responded to calls from 489 youth in the Tulsa area.

"Cases run the whole gamut, from minor things like 'I got my report card and my parents are going to kill me when they see it,' to incidences where kids have shown up with a broken arm from being manhandled and literally thrown out of the house," Walker said.

Walker said one volunteer even received a call from a girl who had all her belongings in two laundry baskets on her 16th birthday because her parents said she was now on her own.

"Some are serious, some are not, but we treat all of them like it's the gospel until we get in and find someone is being overly dramatic," Walker said. "We don't hide kids from their parents. We bring them together to work out the issues."

Youth Services is in need of additional Safe Place volunteer responders. Volunteers take three evening training sessions, and there is a background check.

For more information, call Youth Services of Tulsa at 582-0061 or go online to tulsaworld.com/yst.

Mike Averill 581-8489
mike.averill@tulsaworld.com By MIKE AVERILL World Staff Writer

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forkandknife, Tulsa (10/15/2009 9:55:36 AM)

You complain about them texting all the time, then you go and give them a hot-line that they can text when they feel in need?

Make up your minds people!

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GundysGirl, (10/15/2009 11:03:21 AM)

I know many parents probably get concerned about teens texting too much but I don't think ANY parent would get upset if their teen sent a text to get help.

Texting is now a way of life, as an adult, I text a lot and will save this number in my phone so I will have it if I ever come across a teen in need of help I can't provide.

It's smart that agencies (like Youth Services) are using newer communication tools that teens use. It means more teens get help.

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