Contact Center Specialists include paid staff as well as volunteers. All are trained to assist callers for a wide range of concerns including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, loneliness, interpersonal problems and financial issues. Our Contact Center operates as a blended center, where every Specialist is trained to handle information and referral calls and they are all highly trained in crisis intervention and suicide prevention. This means that calls that come in on the 2-1-1 helpline will be answered by the same Specialists that answer calls on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Our Telephone Helplines
All VIA LINK helplines are available 24/7 and they are free to the public. If you or someone you know is in danger or needs immediate medical attention, please call 9-1-1 immediately.
For Information & Referrals:
Call 2-1-1 OR 504-269-2673
2-1-1 is a 24/7 helpline that provides comprehensive information and referral. VIA LINK answers 2-1-1 calls for 10 parishes in southeast Louisiana, including: Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, Saint Bernard, Saint Charles, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Tammany, Washington, Tangipahoa, and Lafourche.
For Crisis Counseling:
Call 1-800-273-TALK
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour national crisis line and is a safe space to talk about whatever is troubling you. Trained Crisis Intervention Specialists, also known simply as Specialists, are available to assist you in working through thoughts of suicide and will help you come up with a plan for safety. VIA LINK answers Lifeline calls for three area codes – 504, 985, and 337.
Additional VIA LINK telephone crisis helplines include:
The Baton Rouge Crisis Line (844-452-2133) is available 24/7 to anyone in the following parishes: Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. James, West Feliciana, and West Baton Rouge.
The Southwest Louisiana Crisis Line, which serves these parishes: Vernon, Rapides, Beauregard, Allen, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, and Cameron.
2-1-1 callers in the VIA LINK service area and in the Baton Rouge 2-1-1 service area can connect to a VIA LINK Specialist. When dialing 2-1-1, callers should listen to the prompts and select the “Crisis” option to be routed to a Crisis Intervention Specialist.