- Crisis intervention for suicide, sexual assault, substance abuse, and domestic violence
- Confidential listening
- Information and referrals
- Primary relay for SAVAS (Sexual Assault Victim’s Advocacy Service)
- Primary contact for SAS (Surviving After Suicide)
- Teleteen for teens
- Phone-A-Friend for “latchkey” children
- Linea de Ayuda
- Senior Link for senior adults or homebound citizens
- Support groups:
- Depression Awareness support group for senior adults. Meets bi-monthly at the Manassas Senior Center
- Depression Awareness support group meets bi-monthly at Potomac Hospital
- SAS for individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide
- Training in the community:
- Active Listening
- Suicide prevention/intervention/postvention. Trainers certified in ASIST (Applied Suicide
- Intervention Skills Training) and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer)
The 24-hour telephone number is 703-368-4141.
One of the most difficult and urgent issues anyone will ever deal with is suicide. ACTS/Helpline is certified by the American Association of Suicidology for suicide intervention. This honor is a huge tribute to the dedication and competence of our trained staff and volunteers. In 2007, ACTS/Helpline volunteers intervened 46 times in suicide situations. ACTS/Helpline is the catalyst to bringing a national suicide survivor teleconference to our community each November.
The competence of our staff is well-known in the Northern Virginia area. Many local organizations seek our guidance and involvement assisting with training activities focusing on suicide intervention. ACTS Teleteen volunteers are trained teenagers, who with adult volunteers providing support, provide a tool for their peers to talk anonymously (M-F, 3:00 pm-7:00 pm at 703-368-6544)
In FY 2004, ACTS/Helpline handled 11,984 calls, including
- 1,966 crisis calls
- 282 sexual assault calls
- 46 suicide calls
Helpline is actively involved in a variety of prevention and community wellness activities. Research shows that the elderly, young and all survivors of the suicide of a loved one are among the highest risk groups for suicide attempts and completion. ACTS/Helpline conducted 33 suicide prevention training events in FY 2007 attended by 701 community members.
Helpline Training |
