SHERIDAN (WNE) — Cathedral Home in Laramie recently launched a statewide text line giving all Wyoming residents free, 24/7 text-based mental health support and crisis intervention. 

The WYO Text Line, which is operated in partnership with Cathedral Home and the nationwide nonprofit Crisis Text Line, improves access to mental health care throughout Wyoming, especially for residents of rural communities or those concerned with the stigma associated with seeking help, Cathedral Home Communications Specialist Caroline Elik said.

Cathedral Home is a nonprofit organization that serves youth and families through community resources, crisis care and youth residential treatment.

Suicide remains to be a large issue across the state.

The WYO Text Line is staffed by Crisis Text Line volunteers from all around the U.S. and serves as a complement to services like the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Elik said. 

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline system is a separate national network of crisis centers that provide support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

“The WYO text line is an accessible alternative to 988 for individuals who may not be in an immediate crisis but who just need someone to talk to about hard things that they are experiencing,” Elik said.

The text line costs Cathedral Home approximately $20,000 per year and is funded through donations and grants. More recently, Rocky Mountain Power awarded a $5,000 grant in support of the text line, Elik said.