Discussion Have you ever called a hotline?

[glendaaa]

There's a book you should read (or not, people either enjoy it or hate it). Get Well Soon by Julie Halpern. It's about a girl who gets committed and ends up finding friends. It was a fun read when I was a teen but idk how well it holds up.

Thanks, ill check it out! I've only ever read sad stories about the mental hospital like girl interrupted and the bell jar.

 

[pinkribbonscars]

I texted the thrive lifeline and it was actually a decent experience. It's peer support ran (meaning the employees and volunteers have been through mental illness themselves). They don't call police (their full policy is on their website if you're skeptical). They also don't use risk assessments.

I opened up about my welfare check experience and the lady understood how boxed in that crap made me feel, and even said something about running through the motions, holy shit, no one else I've talked to really got it like she did.

She didn't give me canned crap either, told me she doesn't know the answer to dealing with these feelings, it's just learning how to deal with it. Fucking sucks but at least she didn't lie and say I could be so happy one day if I just appreciate my family and friends or some stupid crap like that.

Like i didn't get practical solutions, just standard cliches (write and produce art about your feelings!) but she didn't pressure me to open up about my suicidal thoughts, respected when I declined, so if you just want to vent I recommend a peer support line like that.

988 tho, nope

 

[nomennescio]

Almost tried once, more out of curiosity tbh. Until i read that they prefer you reach out during business hours. Was dumb af of me to feel suicidal outside business hours of course shouldve known lol

Honestly reading that alone was so depressing and pushing me further. This world is cold.

 

[painIess]

Yes, it feels like I'm talking to a badly programmed robot. The only said "uhum" and sometimes repeat what I said. A terrible joke

 

[ConstantPain]

It's been many years (25+) since I've called any hotlines. When I did call I found it quite useless. I also knew enough to not mention any immediate plan or potential ways to ctb. Some of them definitely trace calls and send law enforcement for wellness checks. Anyone who finds it helpful in any way, I'm happy for you. Anyone who is thinking of trying it I'd say I hope it's helpful but deny, deny, deny any plans to ctb.

 

[stage4johnny]

No!
BTW who volunteers for these hotlines?
A: Its so upsetting to hear people in such pain.If I can help in any way, I will!

B: Man you should hear these bizarros and all the weird shit that goes on! Hard to keep from laughing sometimes at the freak show!

 

[Bronzehawkattack]

Why would I? They can't solve my problems anymore than a random on the internet can.

 

[FindingHome]

I wouldn't bother with these hotlines or crisis texts. The read from a script or its a bot. They offer no help. You are better off here.

 

[yellowroses]

I've used the text lines many times, all you get is a script. "So brave of you to reach out" - "I understand you're going through a lot right now". They can fucking shove it. Unless you're actively saying you're killing yourself so they can send the cops, you might as well just talk to a chat bot.

 

[277]

we need an encouragement hotline

"you can do it, ok, I believe in you"