July 2020 | 2020 Summer Newsletter
The Friendship Line is both a crisis intervention hotline and a warmline for non-emergency emotional support calls. The Friendship Line was founded in 1973 by Dr. Patrick Arbore, Director of Institute on Aging’s (IOA) Center for Elderly Suicide Prevention.
The Friendship Line provides round-the-clock crisis support services including:
- Emotional support
- Elder abuse reporting
- Well-being checks
- Grief support through assistance and reassurance
- Active suicide intervention
- Information and referrals for isolated older adults and adults living with disabilities
IOA’s 24-hour toll free Friendship Line is the only accredited crisis line in the country for adults 60 years and older and adults living with disabilities.
The Friendship Line also makes ongoing outreach calls to isolated older adults. The call-out service strives to improve the quality of life and connection of isolated older adults.
Any aging adult or person who is living with a disability, suffers from depression, loneliness, isolation, anxiousness, or maybe thinking about death or suicide can benefit from a completely confidential phone call with a Friendship Line volunteer.
Connect with a Friendship Line volunteer by calling (800) 971-0016.