Teenagers' Attitudes about Seeking Help from Telephone Crisis Services (Hotlines)

Authors:
  • TGTed Greenberg
    Ted Greenberg
  • JMJimmie Lou Harris Munfakh
    Jimmie Lou Harris Munfakh
  • MKMarjorie Kleinman
    Marjorie Kleinman
  • KLKeri Lubell
    Keri Lubell
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes toward the use of telephone crisis services (hotlines) among 519 adolescents in 9th through 12th grade mandatory health courses in six high schools in New York State. Few adolescents (2.1%) used hotlines and negative attitudes were stronger toward hotlines than they were toward other formal sources of help. The most common reasons for hotline nonuse related to feelings of self‐reliance and shame. Objections to hotlines were strongest among students most in need of help by virtue of impaired functioning or feelings of hopelessness. The results underscore needed outreach efforts to youth.

This publication has 38 references indexed in Scilit: