US Crisis Line?

[cicadafriend]

I recently came across a social media thread where people were sharing their experiences with the US crisis line, and they seem to be... almost comically unhelpful. I don't mean to discourage anyone from reaching out for it if they need to, some people have had okay experiences, but I was wondering if anyone had any bad or any decent experiences? Or any outcome where you felt less actively suicidal after calling for any reason?

 

[Throwawayacc3]

I recently came across a social media thread where people were sharing their experiences with the US crisis line, and they seem to be... almost comically unhelpful. I don't mean to discourage anyone from reaching out for it if they need to, some people have had okay experiences, but I was wondering if anyone had any bad or any decent experiences? Or any outcome where you felt less actively suicidal after calling for any reason?

As someone who is not trusting or these organisations when I was searching about rope I came across this site and that idiot YouTuber saying this place was bad. Charities are the biggest pay pigs to staff. I got cancer at 20. Cancer research UK is a joke when you look at their accounts breakdown - oh and someone I know used to work there but he's a normie so obviously asking the questions I asked he just didn't know how to answer.

Those lines are operated by morons, people who needs the money or people who are virtue signalling and go tell everyone how great they are.

Since joining here I've actually been able to freely talk about what's going on and not have power abusive people direct me to what they believe is moral or correct.

Those phone lines will be the same western wise (Uk, USA, Europe ).

 

[cicadafriend]

Since joining here I've actually been able to freely talk about what's going on and not have power abusive people direct me to what they believe is moral or correct.

Good Point. I think I would ctb expeditiously if I was ever told to try a "breathing exercise" again.

 

[Throwawayacc3]

Good Point. I think I would ctb expeditiously if I was ever told to try a "breathing exercise" again.

lol I went to a therapist twice and the first time she told me to do that. I later read some accounts and studies that people with autism / neurodivergent brain chemistry will not work with therapy especially from a neurotypical individual.

Again going back to your main talking point - these lines are for the masses and do you cater to each individual situation. If someone lost their job and went into poverty and that's why they want to end it all what is the caller on the other end going to say? "Just buy a house bro" this nonsense is rampant in so many systems at the moment.

 

[dragonofenvy]

I went to the crisis line once and they constantly told me that I was so brave every second sentence and that for my suicidal thoughts to go away I should try taking a hot shower. Look I get that the people on it are volunteers and aren't equipped to deal with people's situations but just... why have people follow script instead of being actual people? How is taking a hot shower going to make my problems go away?

 

[cicadafriend]

I went to the crisis line once and they constantly told me that I was so brave every second sentence and that for my suicidal thoughts to go away I should try taking a hot shower. Look I get that the people on it are volunteers and aren't equipped to deal with people's situations but just... why have people follow script instead of being actual people? How is taking a hot shower going to make my problems go away?

this is so crazy to me because most people calling ARE looking for some sort of human connection. Why they would overdo it on the scripted therapy talk is beyond me. It's infantilizing. I texted a crisis line once and the counselor was pretty decent, but at the same time it felt super... detached?

 

[dragonofenvy]

but at the same time it felt super... detached?

Let's be fair to them, if they invested into it and the person ended up offing themselves that would severely affect them. They're trained to be detached, just like many therapists are. If they become attached it affects their judgement. Still, it does feel pretty shitty to feel like I'm talking to a robot that's just executing genericResponse3.exe rather than being a person. I don't know what is the best option. I want to preserve the handler's health but at the same time, many people are hurting from this treatment.

 

[cicadafriend]

Let's be fair to them, if they invested into it and the person ended up offing themselves that would severely affect them. They're trained to be detached, just like many therapists are. If they become attached it affects their judgement. Still, it does feel pretty shitty to feel like I'm talking to a robot that's just executing genericResponse3.exe rather than being a person. I don't know what is the best option. I want to preserve the handler's health but at the same time, many people are hurting from this treatment.

Yeah, I have a lot of respect for crisis line responders / 911 responders / etc. The one time I did reach out to a text line I let the operator know that I was falling asleep as opposed to actually following through. Now that I think of it, I think the hotline I reached out to was operated by volunteers instead of paid responders (this was before 988 was a thing). I wonder how the training varies.

 

[underthedatetree]

A looong time ago I did have a good experience calling, my first time. The lady was so kind and very empathetic or sympathetic (I don't really know the difference) with me while I was in the midst of a nervous breakdown. Unfortunately she had to let me go after maybe 10 minutes because she had to get to other callers. I think it heavily depends on the worker, and really good workers like her must get driven to compassion fatigue and burn out. I theorize its like how so many 911 operators seem to act like complete sociopaths, they're for the most part the only people left who can bear that work.

 

[asian.neet]

I recently came across a social media thread where people were sharing their experiences with the US crisis line, and they seem to be... almost comically unhelpful. I don't mean to discourage anyone from reaching out for it if they need to, some people have had okay experiences, but I was wondering if anyone had any bad or any decent experiences? Or any outcome where you felt less actively suicidal after calling for any reason?

If you call get ready to be thrown in the psych ward.

I wouldn't do it if I were you.

 

[juna]

lol I went to a therapist twice and the first time she told me to do that. I later read some accounts and studies that people with autism / neurodivergent brain chemistry will not work with therapy especially from a neurotypical individual.

Again going back to your main talking point - these lines are for the masses and do you cater to each individual situation. If someone lost their job and went into poverty and that's why they want to end it all what is the caller on the other end going to say? "Just buy a house bro" this nonsense is rampant in so many systems at the moment.

I read this "just buy a house bro" in an accent and laughed out.

 

[Raindancer]

lol I went to a therapist twice and the first time she told me to do that. I later read some accounts and studies that people with autism / neurodivergent brain chemistry will not work with therapy especially from a neurotypical individual.

Again going back to your main talking point - these lines are for the masses and do you cater to each individual situation. If someone lost their job and went into poverty and that's why they want to end it all what is the caller on the other end going to say? "Just buy a house bro" this nonsense is rampant in so many systems at the moment.

I agree. They may be helpful for people who have something happen and are reacting impulsively.

On a kind of side note, I am in some support groups online and some have very serious issues. But it surprises me how very few if any have any real understanding of suicide or someone who is suicidal. That is why I personally find this site so helpful is for the open and honest communication and not all the idiotic solutions that we have been told a million times.

 

[Unattainable666]

If you're talking about the million dollar 988 line I can tell you it's worthless. Just a half assed attempt to "protect" suicidal people from themselves. Our tax dollars at their best lmao! FIrst you have to fill out this stupid form (are you suicidal? what is your phone number?) this way it's easier for the cops to show up at your door. Their stupid response is the same every time you call "Oh gosh that's awful I can't imagine what you're going through." Any suggestions to help me - FUCK NO. This system in the US is nothing but a huge waste of money - do research on how we can ctb without pain that's worth the money

 

[drugfiend]

If you're talking about the million dollar 988 line I can tell you it's worthless. Just a half assed attempt to "protect" suicidal people from themselves. Our tax dollars at their best lmao! FIrst you have to fill out this stupid form (are you suicidal? what is your phone number?) this way it's easier for the cops to show up at your door. Their stupid response is the same every time you call "Oh gosh that's awful I can't imagine what you're going through." Any suggestions to help me - FUCK NO. This system in the US is nothing but a huge waste of money - do research on how we can ctb without pain that's worth the money

A bit off topic but this is why google has gone to complete shit over the past few years. I can't even research anything suicide related without that big HELP IS AVAILABLE banner with the 988 number attached at the top of the page, followed by a bunch of suicide recovery sites. No google, that is not what I searched for. I searched for the mechanisms by which combining benzos and opioids shut down your nervous system, keep up.

 

[Unattainable666]

A bit off topic but this is why google has gone to complete shit over the past few years. I can't even research anything suicide related without that big HELP IS AVAILABLE banner with the 988 number attached at the top of the page, followed by a bunch of suicide recovery sites. No google, that is not what I searched for. I searched for the mechanisms by which combining benzos and opioids shut down your nervous system, keep up.

Agree

 

[Throwawayacc3]

I went to the crisis line once and they constantly told me that I was so brave every second sentence and that for my suicidal thoughts to go away I should try taking a hot shower. Look I get that the people on it are volunteers and aren't equipped to deal with people's situations but just... why have people follow script instead of being actual people? How is taking a hot shower going to make my problems go away?

Maybe it's an analogy for the boiling frog situation. So eventually you are "cured" because you aren't here anymore. This sounds so ridiculous put it wouldn't put it past these types of organisations given how useless they are.
Maybe even they think the water has some chemical compound that magically heals your brain network and chemistry. Delusion of the masses is a VERY real thing.

Agree

Same as YouTube (which is unfortunately owned by Google). Hey I saw your other post about some user posting bad images. I don't know your situation but I like your threads and what you say. Can you try once more and if it's still stalemate with the mods then I get your predicament.

 

[willitpass]

I was told to eat a brownie, try painting, once I got told to go on a walk when they knew it was midnight where I lived and I was a 16 year old girl. They spew out meaningless platitudes and then give you some bullshit coping skill like "go hug your cat" and then say "are you feeling better now?" and then end the call. I have only ever had one good experience with one and it was actually the one time I contacted them for a panic attack not because I was suicidal. They're a load of shit.