acher

acher

Member
Aug 6, 2018
12
I know a lot of people on these types of forums have had bad experiences with them, and I'm not trying to negate that, but I called one where I just vented and cried and told them everything I hate about myself. They didn't judge or push me to do anything. It gave me a lot of closure to tell another human being my plans over the phone.
I'm still going to ctb, it's just not until several months from now. So, if anyone else is planning to ctb at a future date, they may actually bring you some comfort and not tell you not to kill yourself.

Anyone else have good/bad experiences?
 
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Comatose11

Mage
Jul 26, 2018
572
I'm glad it helped you. It has helped me a few times but then one day they called the police on me and I haven't used them since. But I'm so glad they could help.
 
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IRIYAMA

IRIYAMA

Student
Apr 10, 2018
146
Ir's good that they helped you, last time I called a hotline they called the police and I was escorted to hospital for mental health assessment.
 
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M

millefeui

Enlightened
Mar 31, 2018
1,035
That is great. Stuff like hotlines and psychologists can help some people, which is why I don't mind their existences.
 
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DF90

DF90

Experienced
Mar 18, 2018
275
I've never called, but it's nice to hear a good perspective on the hotlines! People seem to get rather hostile about them in the SS community.
 
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acher

acher

Member
Aug 6, 2018
12
I was lucky to get a good person on the other end, and a good line in general I think. I know in some areas the only hotlines that exist are shitty, which sucks. Sorry to hear y'all have had bad experiences.
 
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iloveloving

Member
Aug 4, 2024
63
I like to text them (988) rather than call. They let me vent when that's all I needed. Someone to listen.
 
Space Outlaw Bunny

Space Outlaw Bunny

autistic magical girl gender neutral
Apr 29, 2023
268
I'm happy for youđź«‚
I never tried but I'm thinking about it now
 
F

Forever Sleep

Earned it we have...
May 4, 2022
8,889
That's great that it helped. That sounds like the ideal really- someone to listen to you properly.

My experience wasn't good but that was probably because I wasn't ringing them for help. I'd agreed to be put in touch with them after the IC SN welfare checks. Mainly to reassure the police officers that they could leave me for someone else to deal with.

The first lady I spoke to did at least sound sympathetic but- like I say, I wasn't phoning to talk about my problems. I just wanted to get rid of them too. She did at least sound nice. The second lady that rang really wasn't. She tried both guilt trips- think of what your suicide would do to your family. Plus, she brought up the 'issue of mental capacity' which frightened me that she may actually try to section me!

Really though, it was a waste of both our time. I wasn't in immediate 'danger' and I didn't even want to talk to them. Really, I was just a potential problem for them because the police let me keep the SN- because I clearly wasn't in immediate risk of using it and I seemed fairly lucid I imagine. So, it's not the fairest judgement of their service.

A friend once rang though and said it didn't help them. All they were really interested to find out was whether she had a plan in place and whether she was in a position to be able to carry it out. When they found out she had neither, they seemed to lose interest. (According to her.)

I think it depends who you get- obviously. I see no harm in trying it if you want help or support but- I get puzzled when people are surprised when they try to stop them CTB. These are suicide prevention hotlines- they are likely going to try and prevent you committing suicide! Sometimes in quite dramatic ways- informing the police and sectioning you- if they believe you are going to do it imminently. I think it's fine to try- if it appeals but, people should be aware of what could potentially happen if they let on too much.

Out of interest, were you clear with them that you had a plan in place that you were able to implement? Did they push you to tell them whether you had a plan? I'm glad it helped ypu though.

To be fair- I know they get a lot of bashing here. Still, if some of them really are volunteers, I do admire their effort. I think it comes from a kind place of wanting to help people.
 
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banger12

banger12

Former nerd; current burden
Aug 1, 2024
175
I have no experiences of my own to share, but thank you for sharing yours. Every now and again I think of calling one but I get scared to. However, nothing beats a real human voice sometimes and actually talking to someone. However, I still distrust it so I've never called one
 
null_blank

null_blank

just passing through
Aug 14, 2024
122
I keep their number in my phone as a last resort sort of thing because of the distrust I hold for them not to call authorities but simultaneously believe it's a lot better than it used to be since they know the affects that has.