Discussion Has anyone here called a suicide hotline? What did they say?

[qsocdu]

I chated online yesterday and ended the call because it seemed like she was impatience. lol I waited my turn, I was 31 on the line when entered, and I could tell she was just fed up of other people's sad story. Why are you even in there in the first place? It made me more suicidal than ever

 

[mathiessi]

I called them here in Canada , they are train to recognized people with actual plant and they will send someone to your home if they think you will really do it soon.
beside that this is a train person following a script nothing more nothing less. It can help to call them to make the time pass faster during a big down , but never let them know how you will do it or when cause you will be stuck in they protocol.

 

[FinalCountdown]

Yes I did, and it was pretty uneventful. I told them I really needed to talk to someone, I explained my situation and that I felt suicidal. She asked if I had a method in mind, I said something about what method I thought about doing, but also mentioned that I was not set on it. It wasn't a very helpful conversation, I remember her saying "well, there's therapy, I hope you feel better." It really seemed like even she didn't want much to do with me. So I didn't force her to talk with me longer. I did make a crappy attempt but SI got me.

 

[koalahymm]

I called once in the US and they could not have cared less, asked what I expected them to do and said they could send the cops to me but that was it. Like if you don't care then why are you working a suicide prevention line?

 

[Techef]

From my experience and others who've told me about theirs (sibling, people I met in support groups), they seem to mostly follow a script, and you can trigger a nasty visit from the police, though some places have mental health emergency response teams that actually have training and don't treat you like a criminal (consider yourself lucky if anyone with proper training comes instead of regular law enforcement). They'll also straight up ask you if you're attempting or close to it, or if you want someone sent right away. Nobody had anything positive to say about ever calling a hotline. Best outcome is neutral, usually negative.

 

[melwarson]

I called a number of years ago. Right after my little girl died. I wasn't suicidal, just really sad. I was talking to them on the phone and there was a knock on the door. Three cops showed up, came into my house (without asking) and started looking around (one watched me the whole time) the other two kept wandering around my house. Got back on the phone asked if they contacted the cops they said yes. I asked them why - couldn't even give a decent reason. I, personally, would NEVER call a hotline again.

Wow. That's awful. They advertise that it's completely anonymous but sounds like thats a lie.

 

[yyytry]

Suicide hotline:
They offered to do a follow up call with me, a week or so later.
I don't remember if I took the call.
The whole thing wasn't very helpful and I was guarded the whole time.

I actually had better experience with "warm lines", and the people there had more skill/soothing tones.
They only can talk for 15min at a time though. But you can call 3x a day if needed.

Warm lines don't get cops involved either.

 

[josephk]

I used to volunteer as one about 25 years ago in the uk. Samaritans we were called. Most of the time I just used to listen. You weren't supposed to proffer advice , though I'm sure some of them did. The idea was to just get people to talk about their feelings, and try to point out positives. I left after two years of doing it because I questioned how much we were helping people. We had a lot of sex callers and a lot of drunk callers. Some of it was deeply upsetting because you knew how dire the situation was for that person & there was nothing you could do

 

[Konnsz]

I don't intend on doing it, but I'm curious as to how exactly operators try to dissuade people from ctb. When I initially tried to find a good method, the first page of browser search results was pretty ridiculous ("go out and have mindless sex instead!" "there're so many reasons to live! sushi, pizza...") so I'm wondering what a good argument against ctb is supposed to be.

lmfao, people putting food to dissuade you.

I used to call alot the suicide hotline.

Here's some things i have done and what I recommend.

>NEVER, give your personal info, They already have your phone number registered, you can request to be an "Anonymous" and they will usually be fine what that, the less they know, the better.

>the operators I have contacted usually listen, but then, like everyone, will ignore your reasons and just repeat like a broken record "Life is good" (with some variations)

>I have told them about my plans to die, mentioned i have a knife near me, and they will make sure to convince me to stay away from the knife.

They have not called the police on me, at least in USA, i don't know if it's because they can't because of the lack of information or because they just cant because law and sht, but you need to be aware that if they could, they would do it.

and because of that, you can't be 100% honest, because of the constant fear of they might call the police, if you ask, it is unsure if they would lie to you saying they wouldn't call them.

I remember one time when I was drunk and the same woman that talked to me 3 months ago, she was talking to me again that time, we spoke twice, I must clarify that the whole calling center is randomized, from people from all around the country, at least that is what they have told me.

most of the calls will just conclude on you venting to them tho, at the end of the call they will make sure you are "mentally stable" and then will be good to go.
If they are left with an uneasy feeling or you call and then hang up right away, they will call you again to make sure you are fine....
They will lie to you so you will be honest with them, that's a redflag