Rachelle Pellissier, Executive Director of Crisis Support Services of Northern Nevada (CSSNN) spoke to the history of this organization as well as the scope of services they provide not only to northern Nevada residents, but also residents statewide.

 

 

The organization began in 1966 as the Suicide Prevention Hot Line with its first office located in the UNR Library. It began with all volunteers before the 911 system to serve northern Nevada. At the time, Nevada had the highest rate of suicide per capita in the nation. They eventually realized that suicide was not the only crisis which needed to be addressed so in 1979 they expanded to include advocacy for victims of sexual assault and rape. When they receive a call of this nature they immediately dispatch a forensic nurse and advocate to the individual in crisis.

 

CSSNN is staffed 24/7/365 with both professional staff and volunteers. Their actions include: listening; deescalating; creating a safety plan; and then dispatching emergency services to those in danger. They are one of six National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call centers. Last year they received a call or text message from nearly 60,000 persons in crisis. Of those calls, 20,000 were Nevadans with 38% from Clark County, 37% from Washoe and 25% from rural counties.

 

After a new law was enacted on July 1, 2019, they are now advocating for people experiencing elder abuse. They are able to refer those clients to a center for aging and disabled persons.