Your Life Your Voice: Leveraging Technology & Connection to Prevent Youth Suicide

Tuesday, September 27
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. CDT
*Free to all members & non-members

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among children between the ages of 10-14 and the third leading cause of death among young people between the ages of 15-24. In 2021, 71% of calls from young people to the Boys Town National Hotline were related to mental health or suicide. These are heartbreaking statistics, but September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and there are tools to help young people connect and stay safe.

How can a text line, access to downloadable resources, and a mood tracking app make a difference for a young person who may need help? What early lessons are we learning now that the three-digit crisis line, 988, has rolled out across the U.S.?  Join this webinar to learn more and improve your capacity to #BeThe1To make a difference when a young person may need you most.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Presenter: Kris Hallstrom, Manager of Training and Quality Assurance, Boys Town
Kris Hallstrom is currently the Manager of Training and Quality Assurance at the Boys Town National Hotline where she has worked for over 25 years. During this time, she has helped facilitate the launch the Hotline’s various web-based activities including texting, email, and chat services in an effort to provide services to more teens and young adults. She assisted in the development of, and currently manages the teen website www.yourlifeyourvoice.org, and oversees BTNHL’s social media presence. Kris earned her bachelor’s degree from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and her Masters in Human Development and the Family from Kansas University.

Presenter: Kyle Kinney, LMHP, Program Manager, Boys Town
Kyle Kinney, LMHP is the program manager of the 988 NE Crisis Line and the Nebraska Family Helpline.  During his nearly 20-year career serving Nebraska, Kyle has provided support to children in the juvenile justice system, the child welfare and foster care system, at-risk students, as well as, the children and families who remain outside “the system.”  Kyle completed his undergraduate work in Psychology at Grace University and his graduate work at Bellevue University, earning an M.S. in Human Services – Mental Health Counseling.   As a father of four girls, Kyle keeps busy with athletic events, tumbling classes, and the occasional musical performance but still finds time for plenty of coffee and a good book.