The Helpline of Lifelines/Family Counseling Center of Mobile, Inc. provides a telephone information and referral service line for Mobile County and via a toll free number available to Baldwin, Washington, and Clarke counties, which provides a listening ear, crisis intervention, and referral to more than 380 agencies.

History

Helpline is an anonymous and confidential information and referral program, crisis intervention and prevention line that is available for our community.

Mrs. Francis Peavy Howell brought the idea of the Helpline to Mobile from Arlington, Virginia in 1970. By May of that year, Judge Desmond Toler secured the original location (one room with two phones) in the old Providence Hospital. Judge Toler became the first board president. Mrs. Janice Greer was the first volunteer recruited and answered the first call "on-line" in Mobile. In that first year 914 calls were received with 188 referrals made.

In 1972, the name "Helpline" was chosen and the organization was incorporated. Since then, volunteers have been answering Helpline calls around the clock selflessly giving their time to listen to and to refer callers to various health and human services.

A caller can call to talk about stressors, for suicide/homicide intervention, or for information and referral. Our database has more than 380 community agencies to which referrals may be made. Helpline volunteers are required to complete an intensive, 36-hour training in the following topics: active listening skills, values, diversity, substance abuse, suicide, crisis prevention and intervention and problem-solving. Training is also offered to other community agencies and professional personnel.