Lines for Life’s Gala Raises Funds to Prevent Substance Abuse and Suicide

Portland, February 19th, 2016. Lines for Life‘s annual gala, held at Sentinel, drew a crowd of 500 people and raised more than $425,000 to support the organization’s mission of preventing substance abuse and suicide. Johnna Wells from Benefit Auctions 360 posed with keynote speaker, Sheila Hamilton. The local radio host is the author of All the Things We Never Knew a book about loving and losing someone with mental illness. 2015 was a record year for the Lines for Life crisis call center which received over 50,000 calls, (17,000 more than the prior year), from callers struggling with issues related to mental health, substance abuse and suicide. Many were helped to find a way forward, and where appropriate connected with referrals and resources. The dedicated military lines received over 25,000 calls and the YouthLine call and text volume doubled. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)

Lines for Life also continued prevention work in schools and with community organizations, convened regional summits with influential stake holders on addressing prescription drug abuse and helped formulate policy, locally and nationally regarding the issues that define its mission. The event was a celebration of successes over the past year, and also an opportunity to recognize the challenge that the organization faces due to the ever-growing need for its services.

From Lines for Life:

We believe that ultimately the issues that define our mission touch everyone and were thrilled to have so many enthusiastic supporters join us last Friday because together, we can make a difference.

Lines for Life is a non-profit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide because they touch so many families in our society. We have served thousands of people with addiction, mental health and suicide intervention services, treatment referral and drug prevention education.

Lines for Life Crisis Lines answered 54,127 calls in 2015. We are able to de-escalate 95 percent of the over 14,000 suicide line calls we receive. Our suicide LifeLine is available free not only to those in crisis, but to concerned friends & family members who sense something seriously amiss and need information on what actions they should take. (800) 273-TALK.

The Military Helpline offers free, anonymous assistance 24/7/365 to active duty service members, veterans and their families through telephone and text support. The texting service for the Military Helpline operates from 0900 to 1500 PST and can be reached by texting MIL1 to 839863 between 0900 and 1500 Pacific Time.

Our YouthLine offers a confidential teen-to-teen phone line and texting to help youth deal with bullying, depression, substance abuse or other issues that can make those years especially painful.

The Alcohol & Drug Helpline offers crisis counseling and referrals to appropriate treatment options.

The Lines for Life staff works closely with schools, parents, treatment professionals, law enforcement and the military. We train and support community anti-drug coalitions. We lead public awareness campaigns on underage drinking, youth access to alcohol and reducing illegal drug use.