Props to DUer LiberalHeart for posting this in Latest Breaking News:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2450456&mesg_id=24504561-800-SUICIDE to Ring Busy After Midnight if Phone Bill Isn't Paid WASHINGTON (AP) -- 1-800-SUICIDE, the nation's best-known private and confidential suicide prevention hotline network, will be shut off at midnight tonight unless action is taken. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), a division of HHS, has decided to end all funding for KBHC while continuing to owe them $266,000 from over 2 years ago.
Instead of sending the funds that were already allocated, SAMHSA has gone on to create their own competing crisis hotline -- which gives them access to callers' private information through phone records.
More:
http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=5269152 ________________________________________________________________________________
http://www.save1800suicide.org /
Time Before 1-800-SUICIDE shutdown:
00 Days 05 Hours 56 Minutes 20 Seconds.
This is our last chance to save 1-800-SUICIDE. If 1-800-SUICIDE goes down on Saturday suicidal callers will not be able to reach a crisis center counselor. Lives might be lost.
It is most likely that the Federal Government will take over the line as soon as they can. Calls to 1-800-SUICIDE will no longer be confidential then. Please support our efforts to protect callers' privacy - donate now!
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD – BEFORE OUR GOVERNMENT SUFFOCATES THE NATION’S LARGEST PRIVATE & COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL HELP SYSTEM.
1-800-SUICIDE is in danger of being shut off or worse falling into the hands of the Federal Government. With teenage suicide being the 3rd leading cause of death between 18 to 24 year olds - our government should not be duplicating prevention efforts but helping fund the many local organizations and non-profits with proven track records on prevention. In addition our government should not be in the business having access to this private and sensitive information!
No other crisis hotline is owned by the federal government! Read more...
Despite the fact that almost 2 million callers have reached help and hope over the last 8 years, and a government funded evaluation stating the benefits of 1-800-SUICIDE, the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA), a division of Health & Human Services, has decided to create their own government run system where they would have direct access to confidential data on individuals in crisis.