Teens Help Other Teens Through Crisis Hotline

Every night in Los Angeles, teens pick up phones to help other teens. The Teen Line hotline runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with teenage volunteers who understand what it means to face stress, anxiety, and tough times.

Before answering calls, each volunteer completes 65 hours of training with a professional counselor. They learn crisis management and active listening skills. Most calls are not about suicide. Instead, teens call about relationship problems, school stress, fights with parents, and everyday challenges that feel overwhelming.

In 2024, Teen Line helped nearly 9,000 people. By 2025, they received more than 10,000 calls from as far away as Japan and Tanzania. When callers ask if they are talking to AI or a bot, volunteers always say no. The human connection matters most.

Sixteen-year-old volunteer Brooke joined because she knows many teens struggled during the pandemic. She wanted to help others not feel alone. Fifteen-year-old Max explains that volunteers do not solve problems, but they listen and make people feel heard when they need it most.

Our community can learn from this peer-to-peer model. When young people support each other, they build resilience together. Teen Line shows that sometimes the best help comes from someone who truly understands your experience.