About
Caring. Listening. Empowering.
Our passion is caring and listening; empowering people to make positive life changes. We do this through connections between people and critical resources.
Purpose
Crisis Connections connects people in physical, emotional and financial crisis to services that will be of help.
We do this to reduce immediate emotional distress and defuse crises for individuals, families and the community; to reduce the immediate risk of violence to one’s self and others; and to increase the ability of people to access the safety net, particularly for mental and emotional support services.
Crisis Connections serves all people (in physical, emotional and financial crisis) with an emphasis on serving King County residents.
Licensing
Crisis Connections is state licensed by DSHS/DBHR as a crisis telephone service provider and as a certified chemical dependency treatment service— crisis intervention. We are also nationally accredited by CONTACT USA and the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems. As one of the oldest crisis lines in the nation, we continue to be committed to providing excellent service to all who contact us.
Crisis Connections' 24-Hour Crisis Line is nationally accredited by the International Council for Helplines. Teen Link is also accredited by the International Council for Helplines.
How We Began
1963
On August 1, 1963, a 12-year-old girl was stabbed by a letter carrier. It was later discovered that the man had talked to several people during the days immediately prior to the attack, mentioning his violent feelings and impulses. The young girl recovered from the assault and her parents felt that something positive should come out of the experience. Believing that the tragedy might have been avoided if the assailant had had someone to turn to for help in managing his anger and homicidal impulses, they decided that a service was needed to meet the needs of people who are distressed, but uncertain about seeking professional help to cope with their difficulties. Thus, family, friends and community members came together to form Crisis Clinic, now Crisis Connections, and our 24-Hour Crisis Line.
1964
In March of 1964, members of the Board of Trustees answered phone calls at their places of business and in their homes.
1966
Crisis Clinic, now Crisis Connections, became nationally known in 1966. Shana Alexander wrote a story for Life magazine about a Seattle woman whose life had been saved by one of our volunteer phone workers. That article became a movie, filmed in Seattle, called The Slender Thread. Starring Sidney Poitier and Anne Bancroft, the movie tells the story of a woman who attempts suicide. She calls Crisis Connections, and Sidney Poitier tries to keep her on the phone while others go into action to trace the call and save her.
1963
On August 1, 1963, a 12-year-old girl was stabbed by a letter carrier. It was later discovered that the man had talked to several people during the days immediately prior to the attack, mentioning his violent feelings and impulses. The young girl recovered from the assault and her parents felt that something positive should come out of the experience. Believing that the tragedy might have been avoided if the assailant had had someone to turn to for help in managing his anger and homicidal impulses, they decided that a service was needed to meet the needs of people who are distressed, but uncertain about seeking professional help to cope with their difficulties. Thus, family, friends and community members came together to form Crisis Connections and our 24-Hour Crisis Line.
1964
In March of 1964, members of the Board of Trustees answered phone calls at their places of business and in their homes.
1966
Crisis Connections became nationally known in 1966. Shana Alexander wrote a story for Life magazine about a Seattle woman whose life had been saved by a Crisis Connections worker. That article became a movie, filmed in Seattle, called The Slender Thread. Starring Sidney Poitier and Anne Bancroft, the movie tells the story of a woman who tries to kill herself by swallowing a bottle of pills. She calls the Crisis Connections and Sidney Poitier tries to keep her on the phone while others go into action to trace the call and save her.
King County 2-1-1
In 1973, at the request of United Way of King County, Crisis Connections took on the United Way Information and Referral Service, which became the Community Information Line. In 2006, the Community Information Line began using the dialing code, 2-1-1, as part of a statewide effort to increase access to health and human services. It is now called King County 2-1-1.
Teen Link
In 1993, 16-year-old Audra Letnes died at the hands of a boyfriend who had abused her for over a year. Estranged from her friends and afraid to tell her mother what was happening, Audra kept to herself. Audra’s inability to tell those closest to her what was happening in her life sadly reflects the way too many teens feel today. Teen Link was created – a help line for and by teens in King County. Today, Teen Link answers calls from teens in need and also makes youth suicide prevention presentations at schools throughout the County. Teen Link is also accredited by CONTACT USA.
WA Recovery Help Line
In 2011, Crisis Connections secured a contract from the WA Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DSHS/DBHR) to offer a statewide consolidated helpline and we created the WA Recovery Help Line to offer support and referrals to services for people needing substance abuse, problem gambling, and mental health help.
WA Warm Line
The Washington Warm Line is a peer support line for people living with emotional or mental health challenges. This program offers hope to those who are still navigating their journey, whether they’re just starting or continuing on their path towards recovery. Volunteers with lived experience in mental health challenges and living in recovery answer calls to the Warm Line. Due to their own personal experiences, they are equipped to meet people where they are in their mental health journey.
Values
Volunteers
Recognizing the contributions of each volunteer, demonstrating appreciation for the time, energy and spirit that each one brings to their work. Accepting everyone who volunteers for their uniqueness and what they bring to the job.
Employees
Recognizing the contributions of each employee, demonstrating appreciation for the time, energy and spirit that each one brings to their work, and offering opportunities for continual growth within the organization. Accepting everyone employed here for their uniqueness and what they bring to the job.
Genuine Relationships
Communicating in an open, truthful and direct manner. Being receptive to all ideas and being respectful of everyone’s feelings and thoughts.
Healthy Environment
Managing stress with balance and humor, interacting positively with each other, and making space for continual personal growth and education and creating a safe place for the emotional and physical work that we do.
Community Focus
Looking for new ways to help, always staying on top of new programs, services, and trends and keeping abreast of the changing needs of the community.
Recruiting volunteers and employees from the community, and empowering them with the information and knowledge to help others.
Universal Access
Opening services to everyone, at any time and offering training to the community, working hard to keep accurate and up-to-date information available and being responsible and frugal with internal resources.
Excellence
Doing everything to the best of your ability, maintaining high standards for yourself, and the information and help that you are giving and providing complete information in the most effective manner.
Publications
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