For Immediate Release

Date: April 16, 2007

Contact: Valerie Colvin - (301) 997-1300

Walden Hotline Provides 24-Hour Help

Leonardtown, Maryland - St. Mary's County residents in need of confidential help for any type of crisis can call the Walden 24-hour hotline at 301-863-6661. The hotline is available to assist individuals with a variety of problems including homelessness, family violence, substance abuse, suicide prevention and much more. Walden counselors provide callers with compassionate support and linkage to the appropriate community resources for their individual needs.

The hotline started in 1973 in response to a need for crisis intervention services around the clock. Over the years, the hotline has responded to thousands of calls from local residents in need of assistance or advice. It now serves as a central part of Walden's Crisis Counseling Program, helping the agency gauge what the most critical needs in the community are and emerging issues. Last year, the hotline received 4,791

calls from the community.

"The hotline is a central number to call for help when someone does not know where else to turn," said Kathleen O’Brien, Ph.D., Executive Director of Walden/Sierra. "Our counselors have assisted children who have run away from home, as well as victims of domestic violence or sexual assault who are in need of emergency shelter, transportation or medical accompaniment."

The Walden 24-hour crisis hotline is available to all members of the community and can be reached at 301-863-6661.

Walden/Sierra is a nonprofit behavioral health agency that has been serving Southern Maryland since 1973 through crisis intervention services and a comprehensive continuum of substance abuse treatment and education.

###