2-1-1 Big Bend eNewsletter - August 2014
In This Issue
Suicide Awareness Next Month
National Immunization Awareness Month
211BB Staff Spotlight
Call for Volunteers
 

National Suicide Awareness Week is September 8-14, 2014

 

Next month 2-1-1 Big Bend will observe National Suicide Awareness Week! 

    
 is 1-800-273-8255. 2-1-1 Big Bend provides suicide and crisis intervention as a member of the Lifeline Network. In the Tallahassee area you can either dial the toll-free Lifeline number or dial 2-1-1 for this help. Either number will connect the caller to a caring hotline counselor! Helpline 2-1-1 counselors will provide support and can offer community referrals for all type of human service assistance. 
 
  

Big Bend

Back to School
August 18th

 

  

 

August is National Immunization Awareness Month

Immunization helps prevent dangerous and sometime deadly diseases. Now that summer is coming to a close and schools are starting again, its important to keep your kids, and yourself, healthy and sickness-free. To stay protected from serious illnesses everyone needs to get their shots! National Immunization Awareness Month is a great time to promote vaccines and remind family, friends and coworkers to stay up to date with their shots.For more information, visit this

CDC website.

2-1-1 Helpline  Stats
 
July Snapshot Report
 Helpline 2-1-1 counselors assisted 
1,680 callers and offered 
2,267 referrals
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About Us

2-1-1 Big Bend Programs

 

Helpline 2-1-1, a 24/7 free, community hotline service offers confidential counseling and human service information. Other specialized hotlines are also operated by the agency such as the Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline and the Family Health Line.
  

 

 

  
A United Way Agency
  
  
2-1-1 Big Bend
P.O. Box 10950
Tallahassee, Florida 32302

 

   
Greetings! 

Randy Nicklaus
We have an opening at 2-1-1 Big Bend for a Development Director.  Please pass the word and review the position description on our website.
  
We would like to thank the volunteers who served on the Community Human Service Partnership (CHSP) teams that decided how to allocate City of Tallahassee, Leon County and United Way of the Big Bend funds for 2015-16.  While it can be a rewarding and learning experience for the volunteers, it is also a difficult task.  Much more is requested by the programs than there are funds to support the needs.  In the past two years our CHSP funding was reduced by 5% and 15% respectively due to reductions in the CHSP pot of funds.  However, this year we received a 17% increase which we really needed.  Thanks to our funders, CHSP volunteers and our community for this support!

Sadly, we experienced the suicide death of one of our funniest comedians a few days ago.  Robin Williams died by suicide and it seems like the whole country is grieving this loss. It brought much attention to the need for our suicide prevention hotline services and efforts throughout the nation to treat depression and other mental health issues.  We are proud to collaborate with the National Suicide Prevention Network and help those who call that hotline. 

Below is a statement released by Lifeline on August 14th. 
 

"The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-TALK) and its national network of over 160 local centers answers more than 1 million calls a year, providing help, hope, support and recovery to callers in emotional distress and suicidal crisis. The tragic death of Robin Williams has urged suicide prevention advocates and media across the nation to work collaboratively to promote Lifeline's toll-free, 24/7 hotline for anyone who may be contemplating suicide. On Aug. 10, just one day prior to Robin Williams' death by suicide, Lifeline answered over 3,000 calls. Within 24 hours after his death on Aug. 11, 2014, Lifeline's call volume more than doubled. On Aug. 12, 2014, Lifeline received 7,375 calls nationwide, the highest number of calls on one given day in the history of the Lifeline. Independent evaluations of this service funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration have shown that callers to Lifeline's centers typically experience significant reductions in emotional and suicidal distress. As awareness of this vital service grows, more lives are being saved."

  

President

 

P.S. The United Way of the Big Bend 2014 campaign kickoff will be August 28 at the Civic Center.  Please give generously to your community's human service agencies!  2-1-1 Big Bend is A United Way Agency.

 

   
2-1-1 Big Bend
 Staff Spotlight
 
  
Harold Stephenson
Outreach & Education Coordinator
 

Harold has been with the agency since 2006 serving in a variety of roles. He began his career at 2-1-1 Big Bend as a volunteer counselor. Hard work and dedication led to becoming a volunteer trainer, part-time counselor, program specialist, and now the Outreach and Education Coordinator.   Harold has a Masters in Instructional Systems with a focus on Online and Distance Learning and in the process of completing a doctoral degree in the same field. He has a wealth of knowledge about 2-1-1 Big Bend and loves computers and new technology.   We are very grateful to have Harold Stephenson on the 2-1-1 Big Bend Team.

 
   
Volunteers Needed!
headset-woman.jpg 


2-1-1 Big Bend Inc., invites all those interested in making a lasting impact on the Tallahassee to its fall training orientation to become a hotline counselor. Trainees learning basic counseling skills as well as specialized intervention techniques for certain types of calls such as suicide, abuse and domestic violence. Training is free and there is no experience necessary!


 

Please attend ONE of the following training sessions:


 

Tues Aug 26, 2014 6:00 pm Leon County Public Library, 200 W. Park Ave, Program Room A


 

Thurs Aug 28, 2014 6:00 pm BL Perry Public Library, 2817 S. Adams St, Meeting Room


 

Tues Sept 2, 2014 1:00 pm TCC, Student Union, 2nd Floor, Student Support Services/Career Center


 

Thurs Sept 4, 2014 7:00 pm FSU, Psychology Building, 1107 W. Call Street, Room 204A

  

For more information contact:

Coordinator of Volunteers

[email protected]

211bigbend.org

850-617-6309

   

Connect to the 2-1-1 Big Bend Community Resource Directory

Free Apps for IPhone and Android

The 2-1-1 Big Bend app provides an immediate connection to more than 1,000 programs in the Tallahassee, Florida area including Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla Counties. Users can find information about housing asistance, mental health issues, substance abuse, domestic violence, parenting skills, employment, foodbanks, disaster services and more. A new Android app will be available later this month.

2-1-1 Big Bend iPhone App      


Help Fund Our

Future

 

2-1-1 Big Bend has an endowment fund at the Community Foundation of North Florida. Please contact us to learn how you can make an immediate or deferred contribution to our endowment fund.  Additional information is available from the Community Foundation at 222-2899 ext. 104 or [email protected].