Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles (JBBBSLA) announced on Jan. 6 that their updated Teen Talk mental health shared platform can now operate on both iOS and Android devices. With this technology update, Teen Talk can reach more teen users and support their mental health during the pandemic.
Since May of 2018, Teen Talk, the free app that provides mental health support to teenagers, has been an important resource, but only available to teens using an Apple or iOS device.
When COVID-19 hit, JBBBSLA was able to add Android from donations from the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, W.M. Keck Foundation, The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of California, and Beverly Hills Rotary Community Foundation.
“Teen Talk has allowed our agency to expand its reach in the most innovative way,” departing CEO of JBBBSLA, Randy Schwab said in a statement to the Journal. Schwab, who was instrumental in developing the app, added, “For the first time, teens can access real-time social [and] emotional help when and where they need it, right in the palm of their hand.”
Through the app, tens of thousands of teens from around the world can receive compassionate support from trained teen advisors. The teens who offer support are 14 to 18 years old and must complete 50 hours of training that typically met live, but adapted during the pandemic to meet virtually. The app is also supervised by experienced mental health clinicians. The supervisors have crisis experience and provide support to teen advisors during each of their 2-hour long shifts.
Since its launch, the app has had more than 36,000 downloads in more than 100 countries. Teens as young as 13 or as old as 19 can post anonymously 24/7 on the app. Teen advisors who are logged on can answer posts providing an outlet for peer-to-peer support. Teen Talk Community Relations Manager Leeron Tzalka told the Journal there are currently 120 active teen advisors in Los Angeles and around 135 in California.
The next training is in partnership with the L.A. Jewish Teen Initiative (co-founded through the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles) in February. Teen Talk plans to train 15 to 20 new teen advisors.
On the updated app, teen advisors have a streamlined dashboard for them to quickly respond to incoming posts. Posts are color-coded by topic allowing for an easier review and quicker response time. Supervisors can now utilize the innovative dashboard technology to monitor responses, supervise the teens and provide feedback.
According to a statement from JBBBSLA, teens post about a wide range of topics including sexuality, self-harm, depression, abuse, anxiety and relationships. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, teens struggled with feelings of isolation and limited access to mental health resources. The pandemic only amplified their needs which is why Cari B. Uslan, current CEO of JBBBSLA said they wanted to ensure any teen on any device could access the mental wellness app.
“Teens are feeling increasingly isolated, depressed, hopeless, and fearful. The Teen Talk app is a critical resource to provide help to these teens when they need it most,” Uslan said.
“Since the launch of this incredible program, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters has been working toward the creation of an app that is accessible on both iPhone and Android platforms”
Since its genesis, JBBBSLA has created programs for vulnerable youth with positive role models. The agency has more than 100 years of expertise in helping children succeed.
According to the non-profit peer organization, teens in crisis often turn to their peers for help, rather than parents or teachers. Through Teen Talk, they can receive advice from trained and supervised teens virtually.
With the new launch, both the iOS and Android users can benefit from the enhancements such as a new modern look and interactive features. Most importantly, Ulsan notes, teens can see that they are not alone and there are other teens out there in the world who get it.
“We are proud to launch that new app and give many more teens the help they need from the people they trust most, their peers,” Ulsan said.
Teen Talk is now available on iOS and Android devices. Download the app here.
