Teens Save Life Using Facebook, Launch Teen Advice Tumblr

17-year-old Danny Manes from Pueblo, Colorado noticed something troubling while he was scrolling through the usual photos, links, status updates, and videos from his friends on his Facebook news feed. He saw a suicidal-sounding status update from a 19-year-old who he knew casually though church events.

ABC News reports that the status update addresses Jesus, thanking him for his life but saying that "it was time." Manes sent a message to the teen, and asked his friend Gary Ramirez to help out as well.

Ramirez told ABC News: “I didn’t know the severity of it and I looked up his profile. He was posting goodbyes and ‘I’m sorry’ on his friends’ walls. I added him and messaged him and said this may sound like bullshit, but I really hope you reconsider your decision.”

The two teens -- who recently started "Hopeline for Teens," an anonymous advice page on Tumblr for teens struggling with depression, bullying, sexuality, and other issues -- spent six hours talking to the teen and urging him to seek help.

When the conversation became more intense, they called 911, and the police were able to get to the scene before any drastic measures were taken. The teen later sent a text to Manes and Ramirez, thanking them for their help.

A recent study by British researchers found that having prevention measures in place -- such as Hopeline for Teens -- does actually lead to a decrease in suicide rates. Results showed that prevention and crisis intervention measures in Wales were successful in leading to a drop in teen suicides.

Hopeline for Teens is one of many by-teens and for-teens sites and organizations that have recently arisen. After struggling with eating disorders for years, Liana Rosenman and Kristina Saffran from New York are now helping to heal others. The two girls were recently honored at Glamour's "Women of the Year" awards for their work with Project HEAL, the organization they founded to provide funding for eating disorder treatment.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Comments

[Trittydi]

02:11 PM on 02/12/2012

There is an established link between depression and vitamin D3 deficiency:

Depression: Patient friendly Summary (nonprofit VD Council)
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health-conditions/mental-health-and-learning-disorders/depression/

and ......

Low Levels of Vitamin D Linked to Teen Delusions, Hallucinations
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/11/02/low-levels-vitamin-d-linked-to-teen-delusions-hallucinations/

Current lifestyles and the sun-scare have brought the population to a point that experts estimate to be between 80 and 90% VD deficient - many chronically so. How could we overlook the obvious? Every living thing needs the sun.

VD3 deficiency is implicated in the onset of nearly every chronic ailment that we struggle with including 87% of cancers, heart disease, hypertension, major depression, diabetes types I and II, Crohn's disease, Celiac's disease, MS, autism, alzheimers, allergies, idiopathic pain, common flu, falls in the elderly, oral health and much, much more.

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health-conditions/
*

[abrowne]

04:54 PM on 02/07/2012

I'm so happy that there are young people with such selflessness as these two boys. My brother never sent a note. Thank you.

[MHT73]

01:37 PM on 02/07/2012

These children are like canaries in a coal mine, point out how sick our culture has become. Thank you for sending them, and all of us, a breath of fresh air.

No child should ever feel so hopeless that suicide seems like a real option; fixing that is something all of us should do. Whether it's making sure our children are brought up to be respectful of others, making sure our schools don't tolerate bullying, or doing our best to promote civility everywhere, we all need to do our part.

[Terry Justice]

11:55 AM on 02/07/2012

This made me cry. I'm so glad for the young people, all the people out there who can get the help they need. We just didn't see the signs with my sister, the more lives we can save the better. Dear Lord,I am so proud of these kids!

[Danny Manes]

04:02 AM on 02/09/2012

Thank you.. God Bless

[Nonewsgoodnews]

11:36 AM on 02/07/2012

A very good story, there are still some good people out there

[Zippy1169]

05:51 PM on 02/06/2012

Nice to see an inspiring story. I do believe our youth may turn the tide on our present adults fascination with judgement and hate. I see in kids a greater acceptance then their parents. Of course there are still problems and still far too much bullying but it seems to me its the adults lack of action or outright hateful infringement on proper discourse which is leading to exacerbate the problem.

Way to go kids. Keep it up you are our future.

[Danny Manes]

12:16 AM on 02/07/2012

Thank you for your kind words! I'm glad we could be a bright spot in a dark generation.

[Thisbeautifulplanet]

07:17 AM on 02/07/2012

Congratulations to you, young man, for showing empathy to a person in distress and making a sometimes dumb device smart.
You are a beautiful person and I am more than glad to fan and fave you.

[Zippy1169]

11:46 AM on 02/07/2012

I am extremely impressed with what you have done and am certain you parents are extremely proud to have such a fine son.

Keep it up, I might be reading about you again as a future leader.

[MKWewer]

10:38 AM on 02/06/2012

Such a great story! I hope these boys and their parents are very proud. Sending them hugs!

[aelynn319]

12:07 AM on 02/07/2012

Danny is my cousin...let's just say we're all very proud of him!!

[Danny Manes]

12:16 AM on 02/07/2012

Thank you for the hugs!(:

[phantom power]

09:59 AM on 02/06/2012

These kids are amazing! It starts with one, I'll do my part to pay it forward. Good for them!

[Danny Manes]

12:17 AM on 02/07/2012

This comment means a lot to me! I started the page in the hopes that I'd start a chain reaction! Thank you!

[Mike Halper]

11:21 PM on 02/05/2012

GREAT NEWS, THIS SHOULD BE ON THE FRONT PAGE, I AM PROUD OF THESE YOUNG MEN THIS IS AWESOME. INSTEAD OF ALL THE CELEBRITY CRAP ON FRONT ,PUT THIS INSTEAD IT IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT.

[Danny Manes]

02:19 AM on 02/06/2012

Thanks for the wonderful comment! We greatly appreciate it!

[proudloudlib]

10:50 AM on 02/06/2012

Thank You! I wish all teens would look out for each other like that. I am a high school teacher, and you make me very proud.

[Kali03]

05:45 PM on 02/06/2012

You're a good guy, Danny.

I send you a virtual {{hug}} and warm wishes for a truly joyful life.

:)

Kali

[Bianca S]

01:05 PM on 02/05/2012

Aww, what amazing young men. Stories like this should be on the front page of the news rather than tucked away in a sub section. We need to show the world that everyone is capable of making positive change and that despite what news story tells us, not all teens aren't are immature and selfish.

[Bianca S]

02:53 PM on 02/05/2012

oops not all teens *are*

[Danny Manes]

02:21 AM on 02/06/2012

Thank you for your kind words! I truly believe we are all capable of changing the world much more than we ever think. I started this hope line thinking we'd have about 50 likes and maybe 1 or 2 people reaching out.. we have 600 likes, 50+ people who have asked for help, and it was all started on the 28th. We're very thankful for this opportunity!

[Lona Tucker]

11:50 AM on 02/05/2012

This news made my day.

[Danny Manes]

02:21 AM on 02/06/2012

Glad it made your day!

[success for integrity]

07:12 AM on 02/05/2012

My daughter just saved a male classmate friend from suicide last weekend. He texted her to say bye forever. She came crying to me and we called for help. Thanks to awareness via Dr. Phil, Oprah, Dr. Drew, we took action. Teach your teens to always get help for others who threaten suicide. Studies have shown that they most 99% of the time aren't joking about such a serious matter. Call 911 or even the police. Her classmate is alive and now receiving the professional help he desperately needed.

[Natti]

08:15 PM on 02/04/2012

Wow, such amazing, compassionate young men. The world needs more like you.

[Danny Manes]

12:08 AM on 02/05/2012

Thank you for your love and support! Means so much!

[Natti]

02:51 PM on 02/05/2012

You're welcome. I am following your organization on twitter as well!

[Danny Manes]

05:15 AM on 02/05/2012

Thank you Natti!

[dngrl]

01:11 PM on 02/05/2012

Danny, I admire what you and Gary did. To many times we stay out of these situations, or do not take them seriously. You two gentlemen SAVED A LIFE!!! In my opinion, you are both heros! Thank you for being good quality people. I hope many people read this and follow in your footsteps!

[play7ball47]

07:37 PM on 02/04/2012

You guy rock!! I am a middle age American who had almost given upp on the younger folks, but you 2 guys brought me back. I am so happy you were there to help another of your age group. I hope there are many like you who can help get these United States back in great shape in a few more years. You are truly a gift from God. I am so impressed with your caring and selfless action. You really did great and I am proud of you. The teen years are tough years and the ones there now need as many of your kind as possible. I imagine your parents did well in your upbringing. Great work men. Thank God for you and others who have the heart and soul to lend a helping hand when needed. Thank you from my heart.

[Danny Manes]

12:47 AM on 02/05/2012

Thank you from the bottom of my heart! We're very excited that we've been able to inspire and bring hope to so many people around not only our city, but the entire nation and some other parts of the world! We want to make the world a better place, so we're helping as many as we can. The support has been phenomenal!! I'm so happy to know we've been able to help so many people! Thanks for taking the time out of your day to thank us! God bless!

[Robyn Twango]

05:55 PM on 02/04/2012

So nice to see that many youth of our country are far more compassionate and caring than so often shown in the media.

[Danny Manes]

12:48 AM on 02/05/2012

Our youth (me included) is put down quit often on the news, but I'm proud to be a part of the good news! thank you for reading our article. Hope we can help many more thanks to this!