In July of 2000, The Center began a new, much-needed service in San Diego's LBGT community. The Heidorn Lifeline, a suicide prevention and crisis counseling hotline, has been established with a grant from Stan Thomas Todd. The Heidorn Lifeline may be accessed by dialing (858) 212-LIFE (5433).
The Heidorn Lifeline was established in memory of Mitchell Heidorn to provide 24 hour suicide prevention and crisis counseling for the LGBT community. Tom Todd noted that "Mitchell spent most of his lifetime struggling against depression and chronic feelings of hopelessness. He had access to mental health services, but still remarked that he felt isolated, like he was living behind a glass wall, watching life pass by without being a part of it." Mitchell lost his struggle in November 1999, at age 44, when he took his own life.
Mitchell's legacy ensures that members of the LGBT community who have difficulty dealing with feelings of depression or hopelessness, lack of self-esteem, or childhood or coming out issues will have a support system available to them when they need it. The Heidorn Lifeline provides a vital link to immediate services for members of our community who are in crisis or are contemplating suicide.
The Heidorn Lifeline fulfills the need for twenty-four hour access to counseling services, especially the 9:00pm to 9:00am period when services are not typically available. During the day, callers using the Heidorn Lifeline will be transferred to the on-duty crisis counselor at The Center. People in crisis may also call the on-duty counselor directly at (619) 260-6380.
