Local bands to help fight teenage suicide

Four regional bands will play at a fundraiser for crisis listening line Caring Contact Saturday, Feb. 3, at Crossroads bar and restaurant at 78 North Ave. in Garwood. A $10 cover charge will go to support the hotline and its Teenage Suicide Prevention Program.

The four bands playing are Rich Deans, Equinox, Triphammer and Phillips Head. Performances begin at 7:00 p.m. In addition to music, there will be a drawing for a one-year membership to Crunch Fitness in Garwood.

Crossroads is well known for its rock and jazz music and features Cajun-American cuisine and craft beers.

“We are excited to invite the community to this event at Crossroads," said Janet Sarkos, executive director or Caring Contact. "Our board member, Travis Hudelson, is a member of the band Equinox and organized this evening for us. This is a great opportunity to come out on a Saturday night, have some fun, raise awareness about mental health and support our Teenage Suicide Prevention Program.”

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each day in the United States there are an average of 3,470 suicide attempts by young people grades 9-12. Four out of five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs.

Caring Contact's Teenage Suicide Prevention Program seeks to educate parents, school teachers and administrators, youth group leaders and others who have ongoing contact with teenagers to open a dialogue about suicide with teenagers; identify the risk factors of teens at risk of suicide; and develop the skills to support youth in emotional distress.

Caring Contact is an award-winning, volunteer-staffed caring and crisis hotline and listening community, providing active listening support and best-in-class training to the Central and Northern New Jersey community. More than 100 trained volunteer listeners answered nearly 9,000 calls last year from people in crisis, having suicidal thoughts or simply feeling depressed and lonely.

The listening line serves Central and Northern New Jersey and is a primary responder to calls to the national suicide prevention line (1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-SUICIDE) that originate in New Jersey. Callers also reach Caring Contact by dialing 908-232-2880. Those preferring to seek supporting through texting may text “heart” to 741-741. The hotline also provides best-in-class training to the Central and Northern New Jersey Community.

If you are in crisis and need someone to listen, call 908-232-2880.To learn more, visit www.caringcontact.org.

About Caring Contact

Caring Contact is an award-winning, volunteer-staffed caring and crisis hotline providing active listening support and best-in-class education to the Central and Northern New Jersey community. We attentively and compassionately serve those in emotional distress and educate our communities about the power of personal connection. We are affiliated with CONTACT USA, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the American Association of Suicidology. If you are in crisis and need someone to listen, call us at 908-232-2880.To learn more, visit www.caringcontact.org.