TeenTalk was established in 1990 based upon the observation that our youth are faced with countless stressors that place them at risk and when they have problems, they often go to their peers before they seek help from parents or professional adults.
TeenTalk responds to thousands of calls each year from youth with emotional and interpersonal problems through its telephone listening service.
TeenTalk is staffed by volunteers who have completed an extensive 40-hour training program.
TeenTalk addresses important issues including suicide prevention, drug use, child abuse, depression, school pressure, peer pressure, family issues, relationships, etc...through both the telephone helpline and community outreach presentations at schools and youth groups throughout Central Virginia.
TeenTalk's services are free and confidential. Callers never have to share their names and listeners use first names only. This creates a safe or free climate for sharing personal feelings and concerns. Since the callers don't know who the listeners are, they won't fear facing them at school, etc. They also can't use assumptions based on prior experiences as to whether they think the listener can relate (i.e. she's so _____, she could never understand). The location of TeenTalk is also confidential to protect the anonymity of the volunteers.
For more information about TeenTalk, call (434) 947-5921.
For the latest edition of the TeenTalk Newsletter, click below