A brand new ‘hotline’ went live in July of this year. After the reduction in funding for the National Suicide Hotline 988, and the numerous calls it received from individuals that wanted to harm others, it was time to acknowledge a growing need for outreach geared toward this increasing desire for violence.
The National Violence Prevention Hotline was a good place to start. Anyone calling 888-664-6652 would be connected with someone trained to listen and offer further resources. Having this much needed crisis intervention available is imperative to creating stronger mental health networks, preventing violence, and saving lives.
They currently have 9 Volunteers in 6 states (Iowa, New Jersey, New Mexico, Michigan, Colorado and California), and currently has limited hours of availability as volunteers receive training as well as the need for more volunteers. Political violence in America has exponentially grown since 2016 and continues to spike.
Political violence rarely follows right or left politics and is most likely to be committed by individuals who have been radicalized by a combination of extremist ideologies, which are all readily available at your fingertips. The internet, a breeding ground for discourse, offers a plethora of fabricated and deceitful conspiracy theories, sure to drive anyone to the edge.
The increased partisanship in America continues to divide, and as Lincoln stated in 1858, a "A house divided against itself cannot stand." We are witnessing this in real time. Divide and conquer has no doubt been an intricate part of War since the beginning of time. If we continue to allow this division, our country will not survive, nor will democracy as we have known it.
Political violence isn’t the only catalyst to the increased violence we are experiencing around the world. Many things can lead to discontent, feelings of being misunderstood, dismissed. The everyday pressures of work, home, bills, children, financial obligations can quickly become overwhelming and lead to thoughts of harming others. It may seem justified to point the finger at a political party, a politician, your neighbor, your coworker, a person that doesn’t look like you, love like you, or speak like you, however it is most likely a culmination of many things that have set our lives on rough waters, leaving us certain we will drown.
Reaching out is not a sign of weakness. There are people standing at the ready to listen to you and help get you back on dry land.
To learn more visit
https://violencepreventionhotline.org/
For assistance call 888-664-6652
https://violencepreventionhotline.org/
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