Crisis Chat: Providing Chat-Based Emotional Support

Abstract

Crisis Chat (accessible atwww.crisischat.org) is a program of CONTACT USA, a national membership-based organization whose membership includes over 50 crisis centres in 20 states across the country. Until 2010 its mission had been to provide leadership and support to centres that provide helpline services to people in crisis or need. In 2010, one of CONTACT USAs centres, CONTACT Lifeline, a program of Family and Children’s Service of the Capital Region in Albany, NY, brought the concept of online emotional support via chat services to the attention of our national organization as a means to reach out to underrepresented populations who may not be comfortable with talking with someone over the telephone.