Discussion What do you guys think is the problem with hotlines and textlines?

[Final_Choice]

I've heard a lot of bad experiences about the suicide hotline, but what could actually be done to improve them to help someone struggling that wants to get better?

 

[emptinessdancing]

I don't have the answer to this. I know that you usually don't have to have any credentials to volunteer as a part of the crisis hotline team. Which always makes me weary, because I already feel like I know more than most of my (highly credentialed) therapists. Maybe not "know more"----- more modestly put, I just don't feel like they "Get it" half the time. So that being said, I am a little sketch about the people that may be on the other side of the line should I ever be in the that position to want to reach out. (I probably won't. no shade. I just have a lot of shame and isolate as it is so I just genuinely don't see myself using one of these resources.) However, to answer your question--- about what could be done to improve this resource to help those struggling that actually want to get better? Training. And not in an "Educational" way. I would say--- people like you or I, who have LIVED experience, who generously volunteer our time to give back to this type of population. Again, I dont know the answer, but I think this would be a good place to start?

 

[EternalShore]

I don't have the answer to this. I know that you usually don't have to have any credentials to volunteer as a part of the crisis hotline team. Which always makes me weary, because I already feel like I know more than most of my (highly credentialed) therapists. Maybe not "know more"----- more modestly put, I just don't feel like they "Get it" half the time. So that being said, I am a little sketch about the people that may be on the other side of the line should I ever be in the that position to want to reach out. (I probably won't. no shade. I just have a lot of shame and isolate as it is so I just genuinely don't see myself using one of these resources.) However, to answer your question--- about what could be done to improve this resource to help those struggling that actually want to get better? Training. And not in an "Educational" way. I would say--- people like you or I, who have LIVED experience, who generously volunteer our time to give back to this type of population. Again, I dont know the answer, but I think this would be a good place to start?

I talked to someone who worked there, but they weren't allowed to share much~ They are trained on some stuff (unclear about how much), but it's also based on procedures too and certainly without as much lived empathy as here~ She was doing it as an internship as part of a degree~ She talked about them prioritizing making determining intent (plan, method, and materials) a priority (at which point, their supervisors would begin monitoring it) and then, finding something for them to hold onto and then, developing a crisis plan off of that~ If it got "really bad", a supervisor would do something, but she left that unclear~ They'd then debrief about stuff with a superior after to ensure they have good mental health too at least~ :)

All that being said, I'd more than likely never use one myself nor work for one unless they paid me (barring circumstances requiring it)~

 

[emptinessdancing]

I talked to someone who worked there, but they weren't allowed to share much~ They are trained on some stuff (unclear about how much), but it's also based on procedures too and certainly without as much lived empathy as here~ She was doing it as an internship as part of a degree~ She talked about them prioritizing making determining intent (plan, method, and materials) a priority (at which point, their supervisors would begin monitoring it) and then, finding something for them to hold onto and then, developing a crisis plan off of that~ If it got "really bad", a supervisor would do something, but she left that unclear~ They'd then debrief about stuff with a superior after to ensure they have good mental health too at least~ :)

All that being said, I'd more than likely never use one myself nor work for one unless they paid me (barring circumstances requiring it)~

Yeah.. see? That is not anything that one wouldn't receive in an out or inpatient or just a weekly therapy setting. The goal is always de-escalation. (more to cover their asses than actually save yours) And honestly, we all de-escalate at some point or we wouldn't be here, you know? It's just--- where do you go from there? I suppose this serves a purpose for a large population, so I am in no way poo-pooing on it. Everything has a time and a place and a purpose. I just think there's always so much more to be gleaned from experience over "Education".

 

[MetroPunk]

I've called once and got nothing from it. The person was, in my opinion, reading from a prompt or something. I was speaking to a piece of paper. It did not help at all. I'd never call again.

 

[NormallyNeurotic]

Them not being legally allowed to trace your location would be fantastic to start.

 

[HereTomorrow]

The problem with hotlines.

1. They're more often than not mandated reporters (required to call authorities for a suicidal person). If they believe you will end your life (just believe, not that you actually are), police will show up to your door. If you resist, they will fight. So basically it's a "If you don't calm down in ten minutes we'll call the cops" kind of line. Free trauma, will almost make you more suicidal.

2. They're overworked. Too many callers. Some hotlines advise against calling between 23:00-06:00 due to being clogged. You know, please refrain from calling the number you call in case of emergency. In the worst ase scenario, they may call emergency services to deal with you if you're taking too long to calm down because they need to answer the very next call.

3. Too much exposure to suicidal people will either make them numb or empathetic, only reading the mandatory lines in the most monotone voice from their training.

4. There was a short period of time where calls were recorded for quality assurance as well as studying patterns that genuinely suicidal people say versus those in general distress. Most people automatically hung up after hearing "Your call may be recorded". Free privacy breach.

To improve the hotline, a few things needs to be done.

1. Increase the amount of volunteers and lower their hours working. Provide the people working the lines mandatory breaks after a certain number of calls as well as complimentary mental health support for the most traumatic calls. It is mentally draining to handle nothing but suicidal people for hours at a time.

2. Remove the legal mandatory reporting requirements from the hotline and only bring police if the caller explicitly consents. Trace the general county location only should a person be actively looking for resources, but not addreses or other PII. It removes the risk of police in which people would rather CTB than handle them, saving lives.

3. Focus on empathy and reassurance before analyzing the caller's mental state and plan to process the thoughts. This increases trust, honesty, and will eventually deescalate. Most people do not call the hotline and end their life less than a minute in. People want another human to connect with, not a person judging their every word in the name of "safety".

 

[ebg]

I think the fact that if we mention violence to ourselves or others, we may get sent a welfare check-up. I think people who are calling/texting don't feel like they can say all that they want to say and still have to put up an appearance. Or maybe those contacting them feel intimidated because of maybe how formal the responder sounds.

 

[Jack_Nimble]

Maybe, and I really do mean maybe, as in I can't say for sure or don't really know. But maybe they aren't a good idea at all. Maybe there isn't a way for them to be good or helpful. I feel this way cause I don't think they ever could be personal enough, or caring enough, or connected to the individual enough.

 

[iji]

I had mostly good experiences with hotline/helplines. Some specially better than others, e.g. I've been fortunate to even have some great volunteer psychologists, therapists, etc to pick up the call and give me great advice and understand what I speak in technical terms (because I know some stuff about human mind and behavior). A few are too tired because it's likely the end of their shift. But when it comes to an actual bad crisis, it's bad (they generally hang up the call without notice).

I actually prefer calling the hotline/helplines than going to e.g. a therapist, or talking with people in real life about struggles. Because generally it's a 1 time call with someone different every time so there's not compassion fatigue with me specifically. And I can always call it any time (24h). And I personally have had more great conversations with hotline/helpline volunteers than going to psychologists/therapists. Like the last psychologist I went to totally invalidated me.