"There are definitely people utilizing this line as a place to go, a place to get help," says Lisa Harper, Director of Development for Heartline. At Heartline, volunteers take local calls for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. "24-hours a day, seven-days a week, there's always somebody on the other side of that phone to listen, and listen without judgement. It's a line where people can call just to talk. It's a line where no one is going to judge you, and they're going to listen with compassion. A lot of times, you're talking to a friend or family member and it's hard hard to listen without judgement or to give advice, so we're just there to listen," says Harper.

Harper says Oklahoma has an average of about 5,000 of the 70,000 calls received Nationally each year. "As a state, we're 12th highest in the Nation for deaths by suicide," says Harper.

The first thing volunteers do when they receive a phone call is the most important. "It's so simple, but it's something we all have a hard time doing-- listening. Let the caller talk about what they're really feeling," says Harper. The volunteer then helps the caller find healthy ways to cope with their emotions, connects them with resources and develops a safety plan. "If they've got a plan to take their life, we're going to come up with a plan to maybe flush the pills or get rid of the ammo," says Harper. Heartline will then give a follow-up call after the original phone call.

"I had an experience when I was in school and my best friend attempted suicide," says Joan Fogle, who has been using her time as a retiree to volunteer with Heartline for the past ten years. She travels to over 20 schools in the area, teaching suicide prevention. "I didn't know if it was going to be my niche because of the seriousness of the subject," says Fogle. But, it didn't take long before she was hooked. "It's just one big happy family, from school to school," she adds.

From teaching the warning signs, to heartfelt discussions, sharing stories and providing help, Fogle can see the difference she's making. "Sometimes someone will come up afterwards and give me a hug," she says.

Suicide numbers are so great in Oklahoma, Heartline needs more volunteers like Fogle. "Without those volunteers, we can't go into the schools and we can't teach those kids what to look for in their friends, so those volunteers are really the life of what we do, and they're really important to us," says Harper.

If you have considered or are considering suicide, or even if you just need to talk, call 1-800-273-TALK. Someone is standing by 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week waiting for your call.

Heartline also provides a 211 Hotline that you can call for information or referrals for health and human services. They provide help for all basic human needs, such as food, clothing and shelter.

Heartline also assists with the Oklahoma Problem Gambling Helpline.