Four decades of listening, learning, and supporting teens

Since 1980, Teen Line has been a lifeline for young people navigating life’s toughest challenges. What began as a pioneering hotline has grown into an internationally respected program, empowering teens to support their peers with empathy, respect, and hope.

Early beginnings

Teen Line was founded in 1980 by Dr. Elaine Leader and Dr. Terry Lipton after seeing firsthand the need for an inclusive, youth-centered approach to mental health. Originally known as the Center for the Study of Young People in Groups, the program started with one simple but powerful idea: that teens often feel most understood by their peers.

Growth and milestones

Over the decades, Teen Line has expanded far beyond phone support. The program now connects with youth via text and email, making support more accessible than ever. In 2022, Teen Line joined Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, strengthening its reach and integrating its services into the nation’s most comprehensive suicide prevention center. This partnership has expanded training, volunteer opportunities, and crisis support capacity, ensuring more youth get the help they need when they need it.

The peer listener model

Every year, Teen Line trains dozens of high school students to become “Teen Listeners.” These volunteers complete over 65 hours of intensive training and months of observation before answering calls, texts, or emails. Supervised by adult mental health professionals, Teen Listeners offer confidential, nonjudgmental support—not therapy, but a safe space to be heard and understood.

Scale and impact

  • Teen Line now responds to thousands of calls, texts, and emails each year from across the U.S. and around the world.
  • Outreach programs in schools and communities help break stigma, normalize mental health conversations, and provide vital resources.
  • Specialized training equips volunteers to support peers through issues like depression, anxiety, relationships, substance use, identity struggles, and suicidal thoughts.

Leadership and legacy

The vision of co-founder Dr. Elaine Leader, who passed away in 2023, continues to shape the program today. Her commitment to creating a safe, supportive space for youth lives on through every conversation Teen Line facilitates.

Today, under the leadership of Cheryl Eskin, Senior Director of Teen Line, and with the support of Didi Hirsch, the program continues to evolve, reaching more youth and training the next generation of peer advocates.

Looking forward

Teen Line’s mission remains the same: to give young people a safe, anonymous place to be heard, to feel less alone, and to find hope. With continued innovation, expanded outreach, and a commitment to inclusivity, Teen Line is building on its history to create an even stronger future for youth everywhere.