A cell phone is a crucial link to parents in case of an emergency. It is a lifeline after a long day when a teen is waiting for a ride. It is a working tool when youth call or text to see what’s coming up on the calendar of events.

We all have certain numbers programmed into our phones. But if a youth is truly in crisis, will we have the phone numbers needed to help?

A teen comes to you and confides that he/she has been trying to lose weight. You need to know so that you do not become concerned when you notice that teen skipping snack time. After the teen walks away, a group of his/her friends approach you with concerns that their friend has not been eating for some time. Your inner alarm begins to sound.

Something needs to be done, but what? You know this situation requires counseling beyond your training and experience. Begin by talking with the youth and his/her parents about your concerns, and have information ready for the parents and youth. Have access to numbers and programs that are likely to be needed in this situation.

This might mean programming crisis numbers into your cell directory. If you do not care to include these numbers in your cell directory, consider making them a permanent attachment in your calendar, lesson planner, and carry them in your wallet. The goal is to have them at the ready when you need them.

Check and update your list of numbers each year. It only takes a few minutes and a volunteer might be happy to assist with a task that will help those truly in need. Local phone numbers to consider including in your cell phone list:

• Adolescent health center
• Child abuse hotline
• Diocesan youth ministry office
• Drugs/alcohol abuse hotline
• Eating disorder hotline
• Grief support hotline
• Local children’s hospital
• Local psychologist who takes emergency calls from youth ministers
• Pharmacy
• Poison control center
• Pregnancy hotline
• Project Rachel
• Rape crisis care center
• Runaway hotline
• Social service agency
• Suicide prevention hotline

Following is a partial list of some national toll free hotlines. Additionally, the website of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry lists numerous national resources that would be good to keep handy. Visit the Resource Section of the website (http://www.nfcym.org/resources/index.htm).

Girls and Boys Town National Hotline 800-448-3000
The Girls and Boys Town National Hotline is a 24-hour crisis, resource and referral line. Trained counselors can respond to your questions every day of the week, 365 days a year. We can help teens and parents with suicide prevention, depression, school issues, parenting troubles, runaways, relationship problems, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, chemical dependency, anger and much more.

Child Find America Hotline 800-292-9688
Child Find, Inc. is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and resolution of child abduction, and offers America's families free investigation and location services, kidnap prevention programs, referral and support services, and much more.

Child Abuse Hotline 800-422-4453

Children of the Night Crisis Hotline 800-551-1300
Private, non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to assisting youth who are forced to prostitute on the streets for food to eat and a place to sleep. Resources and rescue programs to get teens away from prostitution.

Covenant House Hotline 800-999-9999
Kids, Need to Talk? Are you or a friend looking for answers to tough questions? Covenant House Nineline can help with a variety of issues and problems.

Youth Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 800-843-5678

Al-Anon Family Hotline 800-356-9996

Phoenix House Drug Hotline 800-662-4357
Phoenix House is the nation's largest non profit substance abuse services organization and has 100 drug and alcohol treatment programs in nine states: California, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, and Vermont.

National Health Information Center 800-336-4797
The NHIC is a health information referral service. NHIC puts health professionals and consumers who have health questions in touch with those organizations that are best able to provide answers.

National Sexually Transmitted Diseases Hotline 800-227-8922
A service of the centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Youth Change 800-545-5736
Youth serving professionals (teachers, counselors, principals, youth ministers, etc.) receive intervention ideas for youth problems. Help is provided by a Master's-level mental health professional with decades of service with children.

Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse 800-638-8736

Pathway Family Center (Drug Abuse) 800-261-4605

If you have more numbers or resources that should be included in this list, please share them in the NACYML discussion forum.

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