I had mixed experiences. My main reason for calling them is to be able to speak to a person who actually cares -- or at least that's how I imagined it. The problem is you can't tell them everything or you're going straight to the hospital when you just wanted someone to listen for the moment. Someone to vent to that's not family or friends.
There was one woman who just bombarded me with advice in a frustrated tone before I could even fully explain what I was feeling. Until I just stayed quiet for a good few seconds. I think she realized what the fuck she did after. She'd ask questions and I'd only give her one or two word responses then eventually she tried to end that whole shit call with "I hope you feel better. Take care, okay?"
Another woman was nice. She was calm and caring sounding so it made me feel better. The advice I couldn't care any less for because it's the typical find distractions to soothe yourself such as new hobbies, physical activities..etc. It made me want to talk to her for a longer period but they have a time limit.
There was this one guy who I ended up talking to twice in a row in two separate days. He tried to make me feel better during my break-up. I'd say it was a decent call with him. You can tell he's really trying to think of what to say and not sound too repetitive.
One call I told her that I'm calling because I'm feeling suicidal and I'm taking the initiative before it gets any worse. I couldn't fully talk to this person either because if I wasn't suicidal or planning on doing anything, she doesn't want to be on the phone with me. You can hear how much "care" they're placing on the situation. Had to explicitly say I only want someone to talk to, so please just listen. It's like I was the one trying to take control of the situation instead of them.
The rest are typical calls where they "listen," give you advice, make sure if you're having suicidal thoughts, not a danger to yourself or others, you don't have a plan or have written a suicide note. They will ask what your plan is and from there, it's a snowball effect.
So you can't tell them the full details or admitting any suicide thoughts and plans because the "listening" stops almost immediately, then cops, firefighters, and paramedics will end up coming to your place afterwards. Making the whole situation even worse for most. They are obligated to act on it.
You're better off trying to find someone to talk to on here because everything about the Suicide Hotline is pro-life.
