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Hi guys,
January was an exciting month for our team and our partners at the Kristin Brooks Hope Center as we continued working to launch IMAlive. Once launched, IMAlive will be a live online crisis network with 100% of its staff and volunteers trained and certified in crisis intervention, making it the first of its kind. With your help and your votes, we were able to raise $100,000 for IMAlive through the Chase Community Giving contest.
We wanted to update you about where we are now with the project.
Currently, we are in the beta testing phase for the online training and certification program developed in partnership between the Kristin Brooks Hope Center and the QPR Institute, both leaders in suicide prevention. The program is completed entirely through the Internet and is tailored to train volunteers to work online in crisis intervention. We have invited 120 volunteers to also complete the training in the next phase.
Over the past few days, our staff and interns have completed over 2/3 of the program, and are currently completing the two outside readings Suicide: The Forever Decision and Counseling Suicidal People: A Therapy of Hope by Dr. Paul Quinnett. We are learning how to provide emotional support for people in crisis and to evaluate suicide risk. To be honest, many of us entered the training excited to learn more but were a bit nervous about our ability to help people in crisis because we are not, nor claim to be, trained mental health professionals. But as we continue to walk through the training, we are becoming more empowered and feel confident in our ability to help people survive perhaps the darkest hour of their lives. The training has also taught us that even after we learn techniques and methods, the most important thing we can offer the people we will respond to is our heart and the message that their story and their life matters.
Dr. Paul Quinnett reminds us of this as he teaches: “Your willingness to listen and to be empathetic sends a message of hope, and the restoration of hope is one of the key elements in reducing immediate suicide risk."
If you want more information about IMAlive, check out our site and please consider becoming a volunteer responder.
With Hope,
Lindsay
Intern Program Director & IMAlive Project ManagerPosted in General by Chris Youngblood
Comments (18)
Thanks for the update. I'm a little nervous about being a beta tester but my passion for bein' there for others far outweighs the fear. We're all in this together. <3
1 | Left by AllyC | Feb. 4, 2010 at 2:51pm
this is a great idea, and i can't wait for it to get started, i really think it's gona help a lot of people <3
2 | Left by Nicole | Feb. 4, 2010 at 3:58pm
Wow I have never heard of this till today this is an amaxing website. I started cutting myself and I know the pain that some of these men and women go through. God Bless
3 | Left by Lydia | Feb. 4, 2010 at 6:22pm
I think this is a huge step towards success. I'm really excited for this to launch, partially because I think I might need it someday, but mostly because it is going to be a fantastic resource for the struggling people out there.
love. always.
4 | Left by Anastasia | Feb. 5, 2010 at 11:18am
I really want to be a part of this. I wish this had been around a few years ago.. Oh, well. Atleast, now we can affect and effect others in the way that we were.. only better and on a larger scale.
5 | Left by M.Marie | Feb. 5, 2010 at 2:03pm
this is such a wonderful idea, but i volunteered for IMAlive, but they never got back to me...
6 | Left by cnol. | Feb. 5, 2010 at 4:56pm
I think this is wonderful. I know how terrifying the thought of calling a hotline is for me and I can imagine others feel the same.
7 | Left by Shelby | Feb. 5, 2010 at 5:35pm
This is so great! I'm excited for this and so thankful for y'all.
8 | Left by Anon | Feb. 5, 2010 at 9:35pm
I'm still waiting for my UN and PW. I got the email saying they were just waiting for a few more permission slips and haven't gotten anything back. February is going fast and I want to have the time to do this...
Are you guys waiting to finish the training before letting us participate? Or did I not get chosen?
9 | Left by Tiffany | Feb. 8, 2010 at 11:53pm
when dose it launch? i can't wait. I'mAlive is needed so badly
10 | Left by Anon | Feb. 9, 2010 at 1:04am
I am a fervent supporter of TWLOHA and IAMAlive!!! So many people, like myself, are hurting but ashamed to share these feelings in a society that favors confidence & strength, and often frowns on what some call "weakness"....It is not weakness but desparation, a cry for help, a need for acceptance, the search for Love!!!
This is strongly needed! I pray for its continued success once officially launched!
God Bless!
11 | Left by Lise | Feb. 9, 2010 at 9:18am
I also haven't gotten anymore info after they said they were waiting for a few more permission slips. I also am wondering if anyone else has.
12 | Left by Cristina | Feb. 9, 2010 at 12:54pm
Hi. Oh wow! I really want to become a volunteer-but it has an age-limit...so i'll have to wait a few years, but trust me, when I'm the age I DEFINITELY will hopefully, Inshallah/God willing become a volunteer. who knows, in a few years, this may be even bigger and better!
13 | Left by hal786 | Feb. 11, 2010 at 12:43pm
Hey!! I just discoverd this a couple of days ago and I find it so amazing what you guys are doing and how many lives you are going to touch. I myself started cutting at age 12 I'm now 16 and it's still gonna be a battle. I've struggled with my appearence and suicide. It's not fun. But it's by the grace and unfailing love of Jesus christ that I'm making it. I'd love to be able to help but I'm not sure of the age limit! This is amazing and I just want to thank you for all that your doing! You really touched my heart tonight!
God Bless You
14 | Left by Megan | Feb. 11, 2010 at 7:47pm
I pray for its continued success once officially launched!
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17 | Left by Find Your Favorate Video Simple | Mar. 10, 2010 at 10:19am
this is so cool and amazazing cuz i never knew about this till i was checkin out "miley" "cyrus's" page and she was encouragin people to come to this page and im glad i did
18 | Left by leanna | Mar. 14, 2010 at 1:02pm
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