When Carli Cox picks up the phone, she never knows who will be on the other end, but she knows why she’s answering. As a Crisis Intervention Specialist for the Senior Loneliness Line, Cox is one of the voices providing support to older people in Oregon facing behavioral health challenges, including loneliness.

“The Senior Loneliness Line is unique,” Cox said. “It functions both as a warm line for friendly conversation and as a space for crisis support when needed. We get calls from people who just want to start their day with a voice on the other end, to others who are dealing with isolation, loss, aging related issues, and sometimes suicidal thoughts.”

The Senior Loneliness Line is funded by OHA for Lines for Life—an Oregon nonprofit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide and promoting mental wellness. The line offers older Oregonians connection and emotional support amid growing concerns about social isolation in aging populations.

READ OUR BLOG: Loneliness: coping with the loss of human connection, which includes information about former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy’s 2021 report “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.”

With more than three years of experience and 4,000 calls under her belt, Cox plays a critical role in helping the aging population. Older adults often face stigma seeking mental health support, and Cox wants them to know that no problem is too small.

“Many seniors didn’t grow up in a time when talking about mental health was encouraged,” Cox said. “We want them to know this line is here for them—it’s safe, confidential, and there’s no need to be in crisis to call.”

If a caller is in crisis, however, the counselor will stay on the line with them as long as it takes for the caller to be safe. Counselors ask callers only for a first name and their county so that they can access local resources for the caller. These might include low-cost mental and physical health care, meal delivery or social activities. They can also send emergency services if necessary.

Callers to the Senior Loneliness Line can spend 20-30 minutes speaking to a someone each time they call, and they can call multiple times a day if they want. Their situations range widely, from facing estrangement from family to outliving loved ones, and even a single phone call can bring meaningful change.

“Sometimes, you can hear a shift in someone’s voice by the end of a conversation,” Cox said. “Making that connection is so rewarding.”

---

The Senior Loneliness Line is a free, statewide service for all people ages 60 and older in Oregon. Call 503-200-1633 or 800-282-7035, 7 days/week, 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., to make meaningful connections and enjoy uplifting conversations with friendly team members who are ready to listen and chat.

For a variety of mental health resources (many tailored to specific communities, conditions, occupations, etc.), check out our blog: Find the Mental Health Support You Need.