Cool thread topic.

I have called distress lines thousands of times in the past few years. They have kept me alive. Just like all things, there are good and bad experiences. In the beginning I was unsure what to expect with crisis lines and felt ashamed and guilty for calling in, however, the people working the lines were quick to help with those feelings, reassuring me that the purpose of a distress line is to call for help. I found it really cool getting to know so many different personalities on distress lines and it made me feel less alone. Something to be said about anonymity and talking over the phone versus in person. It can be an added layer of boundaries that makes it easier to talk about certain themes and topics that otherwise may not be possible in normal social settings.

I have learned a lot about distress lines in the thousands of calls that I have made. I have learned that many people should not be working on distress lines. They have harmed me severely a numerous amount of times; invalidation, re-traumatization, triggering me and then invalidating my anger and hanging up! Blocking my phone calls when I try to call back for closure. Telling me my trauma never happened! Putting me down and making me feel deep shame for calling in! Each distress line has their own policies and mandates which severely take away from the principle of what a distress line is at the core. Some are funded purely on research and statistics, and so there are mandatory questionnaires and policies they must follow. Some have a ridiculous definition of what is and what is not "crisis," and even then, each person on the line has their own concept of what is crisis and will hang up on you if you are not meeting the signs of what they think is crisis. The idea here is to clear up the lines for, "people in real crisis," which is absolutely, unbelievably painful to hear especially when you call in for help and make yourself so vulnerable. There are some lines that only allow you to talk about an issue ONCE! I had a major issue with this and took it up with the Director of the organization, asking how they can ever expect someone to adhere to that when mental health issues surely do not disappear after talking about them once. (Ex: Trauma, Intrusive Memories, Depression, etc) Some lines record your calls without tell you. They do this for liability reasons in case they have to call the ambulances or police on you. Some people have absolutely no ability to empathize and are quick to judge with next to zero knowledge or understanding about mental illness. Unfortunately these types of people work on distress lines for the sole purpose of gaining enough volunteering experience to seek out a job in an unrelated profession.

Anyways, I could go on for a long time. I find that distress lines are highly unregulated and some are horrendous. Call around until you find one that you feel is good. Do not settle for invalidation or emotional abuse.

Thanks,
HD7970ghz