New mental health crisis hotline expands across NC
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – People across North Carolina have a new mental health resource right at their fingertips.
The Statewide Peer Warmline is a phone number people can call when they need to talk to someone about mental health struggles, substance abuse or other issues.
It has been a resource in Mecklenburg County since the pandemic began in 2020, but it has now expanded to a statewide service.
A ribbon-cutting celebration was held Tuesday morning at Promise Resource Network on Hawthorne Lane in east Charlotte.
The Warmline is totally anonymous and individuals can speak with a peer who has experienced similar issues to what they’re facing.
In 2020, Warmline received more than 35,000 calls from all over the world but didn’t have the resources to continue serving at that volume.
However, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services received additional funding from the state that gives it the resources to make this service statewide.
The Warmline does not replace the North Carolina 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline but instead works in tandem with it.
Cherene Caraco is with the Promise Resource Network, which is based in Mecklenburg County and runs the Warmline. She says oftentimes people don’t want to call 988 out of fear that police or clinicians may become involved.
Caraco says when people call the Warmline, they can speak with a fellow North Carolinian without that worry.
“When people call, they call for so many different reasons from I’m losing my job and I don’t know what to do, I’m having a conflict at home, I’m thinking about suicide, I’m having a really bad day, I’m in a domestic violence situation; can you stay on the phone with me while I go in my house?” Caraco said. “There are so many reasons – even I can’t sleep at night – for people to call and want to talk to somebody who understands.”
The number is 1-855-733-7762. It’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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