Our Virtual Help service is intended for use when the telephone is either unavailable, there's no privacy, or you're not comfortable using the telephone. Please remember: if your issue is urgent, the telephone is still the fastest way to get to a Helpliner. The TEEN TOUCH Virtual Helpline is designed to provide a one-on-one, real-time private chat with a TEEN TOUCH Virtual Helpliner. Virtual Help will be available in May, between 4 PM and midnight, Sunday through Thursday.

The Virtual Helpline is a brand-new service for TEEN TOUCH, and we're still getting everything organized. Please be patient with us.

If there's no answer when you log on, think about sending us an e-mail (teentouch@mts.net) or calling the Helpline at 783-1116 in Winnipeg, or 1-800-563-8336 outside Winnipeg. Or, keep trying until you get through.

NOTE:

Virtual Help will be available in May, Sunday to Thursday, between 4 PM and midnight.  If you need help weekends we are still establishing a schedule, so if you cannot get through please be patient and keep trying or send an e-mail.

OUR GOAL:

TEEN TOUCH wants to help you sort things out and find your own answers to the things that bug you. Our trained volunteers use an effective problem-solving model (check the web site for details) which helps you find a plan of action that works for you. Sometimes we may suggest phoning the Helpline, or else refer you to a different agency/service which has the kind of help you need or want.

Confidentiality

TEEN TOUCH wants to make things better for everybody, not worse.

Under normal circumstances, everything you tell us is confidential. However, sometimes we have to talk to someone if you are being hurt or not being looked after properly, if you are seriously thinking about hurting yourself, or if you have either hurt somebody else or are thinking about hurting somebody else. If you tell us about one of these things, we'll work with you to make sure you and others are safe, or that you and others get the necessary help.

Sometimes we need to check back to see what happened if you contacted us before; therefore, a file record of what you talk to us about is kept in the TEEN TOUCH office. They are not stored on a computer. We'll keep the typed words for a year before destroying the records.

Something to think about: there are hackers and viruses out there, so things can never be TOTALLY secure or private. Be aware that we have no control over hackers or viruses through this site.