The state of Montana is now offering a new crisis texting line. The service has been available nationwide, however on Wednesday, Governor Steve Bullock announced a texting  line just for the use of Montanans in hopes reaching more young adults seeking help. Suicide Prevention Center Coordinator, Karl Rossten, hopes teens will take advantage of the more accessible and youth-friendly texting line.

“A couple of years ago we started realizing that a lot of young people often feel uncomfortable talking on the phone and they are a lot more comfortable with texting,” Rossten said.

The nationwide service has received roughly 16.5 million texts in the two years that it has been available. Due to struggles with suicide rates in the state of Montana with young adults, Rossten hopes the service will make teens more comfortable getting help.

“Someone who is in crisis can text MT to 741741 and a crisis counselor comes in and is there to help the person with whatever crisis they’re in”

The Crisis text line is available 24/7 and a counselor will immediately respond and the suicide prevention hotline is also available for use at 1-88-273-TALK

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