National Resource Hotline

317-643-4888, Option 1

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The Rainbow Youth Project is dedicated to providing essential support and resources to 2SLGBTQ+ youth in crisis 24/7/365. Through a combination of crisis intervention, educational resources, and advocacy efforts, the organization aims to create a safer and more inclusive environment for young people.

 

National Crisis & Resource Hotline

 

At the heart of the Rainbow Youth Project’s support system is the National Crisis & Resource Hotline. Available 24/7, 365 days a year, this hotline is a vital lifeline for 2SLGBTQ+ youth who find themselves in crisis. The hotline connects callers with trained counselors who are equipped to offer empathetic and professional assistance. Every caller is treated with compassion and care, ensuring they receive the support they need during difficult times. If you or someone you know is in crisis, do not hesitate to reach out to this valuable resource.

 

Access to Resources and Referrals

 

Beyond immediate crisis intervention, the Rainbow Youth Project offers a wealth of resources. These resources are designed to provide ongoing support and connect individuals with services in their local area. The project also provides educational materials that help individuals and communities better understand the challenges faced by 2SLGBTQ+ youth. These materials are an invaluable tool for fostering awareness and guiding effective support for 2SLGBTQ+ young people.

 

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Third-Party Notification Policy - Duty to Warn

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Rainbow Youth Project USA Foundation has now handled over 500,000 calls from 2SLGBTQ+ young people since April 2022.  Only .0125% of those calls have resulted in third-party notifications and 98% of those notifications were carried out with the caller's express permission. 

 

The majority of our callers are, in fact, minors under the age of 18. The legal framework shifts when the individual expressing suicidal thoughts is a minor and laws vary from state to state. This status can impose a legal duty to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect, and in many jurisdictions, this extends to situations where a child is a danger to themselves. The laws are designed to be more protective of children, recognizing them as "vulnerable." The imperative is to ensure the child’s safety, which, in very rare instances, law(s) requires breaching the minor’s confidentiality to involve others.

 

In some cases, Rainbow Youth Project USA Foundation has a legal and ethical duty to take steps to protect potential victims when a caller makes credible threats of serious harm to another person. This is commonly referred to as the "duty to warn" or "duty to protect" and is based on the landmark Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California case. 

 

Here's a breakdown of key factors involved -

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• Serious Threat & Identifiable Victim: The duty to warn generally arises when a caller expresses an explicit and serious threat of physical harm or death to a specific and identifiable individual or group.

• Credible Intent & Ability: The professional needs to assess whether the caller has the apparent intent and ability to carry out the threat.

• Taking Reasonable Steps: If a credible threat to an identifiable victim is determined, the hotline or professional has a duty to take reasonable steps to protect that person. This can include various actions, such as warning the intended victim directly or notifying law enforcement. 

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Important Considerations:

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• Balancing Confidentiality & Public Safety: This duty requires a delicate balance between maintaining confidentiality, a core principle of crisis hotlines, and ensuring public safety.

• State Laws Vary: The specifics of duty-to-warn laws, including what constitutes a "serious threat" and the required steps, vary significantly from state to state. They also vary significantly when the caller and/or subject of the threat is a minor child.

• Hotline Policies: Rainbow Youth Project USA Foundation, Inc. fully adheres to the legal and ethical principles of duty to warn. 

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In essence, while confidentiality is paramount for crisis hotlines, If a caller makes a credible threat to harm another person, we have an affirmative obligation to take appropriate action to protect the potential victim, which may include contacting law enforcement. 

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For more information about our duty to warn and emergency notification policy, please contact:

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Andrea Miller

AMiller@RainbowYouthProject.org

 

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