[Trace14]

Have you ever called a crisis line? Did you feel guilty for calling? Did you share with your T that you called the line? Experience good or bad?

What do you think personal guidelines are for calling a Crisis Line? I've found that you don't always have to be suicidal or imminent self harm, though those are certainly strong reasons for calling. But sometimes you just need to be heard and understood. Agree?

[OliverB]

Once I called. It costed me 25€ and she just told me to call an ambulance. Useless.

I never told anyone I called. I felt stupid because of how much I had to pay.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by OliverB

Once I called. It costed me 25€ and she just told me to call an ambulance. Useless.

I never told anyone I called. I felt stupid because of how much I had to pay.

Wow, ever thought about there being a cost to use the service. You are not in the USA, right? Are there other lines available where you are at? I think there's a list of Crisis Lines here on PC. I'll try to find them or maybe someone can expedite the process and let us know where they are.
What was the cost for? Was it an out of area cost to make the call or was it for the service they provided?

[OliverB]

Originally Posted by Trace14

Wow, ever thought about there being a cost to use the service. You are not in the USA, right? Are there other lines available where you are at? I think there's a list of Crisis Lines here on PC. I'll try to find them or maybe someone can expedite the process and let us know where they are.
What was the cost for? Was it an out of area cost to make the call or was it for the service they provided?

It was one of those phone numbers that cost like 1,20€ per minute. It wasn't outside my country. The service is technically "free", it is an NGO. It is the only crisis line I can call from the city where I live.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by OliverB

It was one of those phone numbers that cost like 1,20€ per minute. It wasn't outside my country. The service is technically "free", it is an NGO. It is the only crisis line I can call from the city where I live.

That sucks.

[TishaBuv]

I worked a crisis hotline once in college as a peer counselor. I really liked it. We were supposed to listen and refer callers to the psychologists or whomever they need to speak to in charge of whatever. If there was a sui call, we were to handle it, talking them down, getting them to get immediate or soon help.

That was a lot of responsibility to place on us. I loved doing that job. I wanted to be a psychologist then.

I’ve noticed colleges don’t have peer counseling like that anymore. I can see how there must have been an event where something bad happened from a peer to peer situation.

We didn’t know who the callers were, 1983. We had to write a report about each call and what was said.

But soon I gave up the idea of being a therapist.

No, I never called a hotline myself. I’m sure now they know where you are calling from and who you are, and can send an ambulance or police, I’d assume.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by TishaBuv

I worked a crisis hotline once in college as a peer counselor. I really liked it. We were supposed to listen and refer callers to the psychologists or whomever they need to speak to in charge of whatever. If there was a sui call, we were to handle it, talking them down, getting them to get immediate or soon help.

That was a lot of responsibility to place on us. I loved doing that job. I wanted to be a psychologist then.

I’ve noticed colleges don’t have peer counseling like that anymore. I can see how there must have been an event where something bad happened from a peer to peer situation.

We didn’t know who the callers were, 1983. We had to write a report about each call and what was said.

But soon I gave up the idea of being a therapist.

No, I never called a hotline myself. I’m sure now they know where you are calling from and who you are, and can send an ambulance or police, I’d assume.

Thanks for the response. The lady I spoke with was very knowledgeable and very skilled in talking in chat. I expect she had more training that just a regular volunteer. I agree, with today's technology I expect they can pinpoint where you are and find out who you are if needed.
Do you think calling a crisis line would be something that should be shared with a T?

[TishaBuv]

Yes. Your t is there to help you, so telling her will help her to fully know about you.

I spend a lot of time on here. I think of it as therapy I really needed with a therapist but that wouldn’t be possible or affordable! I am really obsessed and can’t stop thinking and talking about it. So this gives me an outlet and that helps me, I think.

It sounds like you called the hotline for that same reason. You just needed more?

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by TishaBuv

Yes. Your t is there to help you, so telling her will help her to fully know about you.

I spend a lot of time on here. I think of it as therapy I really needed with a therapist but that wouldn’t be possible or affordable! I am really obsessed and can’t stop thinking and talking about it. So this gives me an outlet and that helps me, I think.

It sounds like you called the hotline for that same reason. You just needed more?

I guess it would depend on the relationship with the T and if you felt comfortable with them and that they were wanting to help.
I consider this place as my support system as well. I get a little panicky when it gets too quiet here.
I did feel better after talking to the person on the Crisis Line. Maybe it was just to be heard, understood, and know someone was there. She seemed a little too concerned about my safety even though I assured her I was okay, this was on a live chat feed. So physical nuances are open to interpretation.

[SoupDragon]

I find telephones really difficult, but in the past have emailed The Samaritans. Although there wasn't an immediate response, I did find it really helpful.

They didn't focus too much on the suicidal stuff, but seemed to be good at asking questions to get me thinking about different things and the emails felt warm and caring.

I did tell my T, but I think although my T didn't want me to be in a bad place, was pleased that I had recognised that I needed help and that I took steps to get that help.

Hope you are doing OK today Trace.

[MtnTime2896]

I've called numerous times. I've also been on the other side of it. Outside of once, I felt the person was reading off of a script because... well they were. However, there was one person a little over a year ago who talked to me for an hour and a half, and actually talked to me. I believe she felt everything I felt and knew where I was coming from. She kept me alive that night, I have no doubt. I didn't have a T at the time, though. If I did, I'd probably have told 'em. Just to be honest about where I was at mentally.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by SoupDragon

I find telephones really difficult, but in the past have emailed The Samaritans. Although there wasn't an immediate response, I did find it really helpful.

They didn't focus too much on the suicidal stuff, but seemed to be good at asking questions to get me thinking about different things and the emails felt warm and caring.

I did tell my T, but I think although my T didn't want me to be in a bad place, was pleased that I had recognised that I needed help and that I took steps to get that help.

Hope you are doing OK today Trace.

Yes, feeling a little better until idle time appears like trying to go to sleep. Just a lot going on right now. This real time chat seemed to be okay. Though I don't type fast and make many errors It's good to know that resource is there and not as scary as I thought it would be.
I've gone there several times but just couldn't go through with the "press to chat" part.
I don't know that I would be comfortable telling the CPT group Psychologist that I called the Crisis Line. But if I had a regular therapist I could see where it may benefit telling them, if it were comfortable.

[reb569]

I've never called a crisis hotline. I have called my therapist before during a crisis situation and she really helped me a lot.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by reb569

I've never called a crisis hotline. I have called my therapist before during a crisis situation and she really helped me a lot.

The VA Chatline was helpful, it's there if you ever need one. I had never called/chatted on one either. Didn't know what to expect. Not as bad as I thought it would be really. Nice to know there are options out there.

I have had several diffrent levels of experience

let me start by saying: none of them that I used actually made me feel like yes, i'm glad I called them.

1 that was suggested to me proved to be useless. I spoke with this man for 15 minits, then he told me to just watch a cartoon and call him back if I need to (watch a cartoon?. are you serious?).
I like cartoons, but that's not really the point here.

I have had others where I have been rushed, 1 of them even hanging up before I had a chance to finish.

the most positive experience i've had with 1 is when they asked me related questions, and tried to offer solutions.

like I say, none of them really made me feel good about myself, but at least their was 1 time where the person tried to make an effert with me.

[Carmina]

Yes, but just once

[greentires4me]

I call lots of times mainly on weekends/long weekends...when there is no main people around to talk to...

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by greentires4me

I call lots of times mainly on weekends/long weekends...when there is no main people around to talk to...

It's a nice resource to have, eh? Glad you have found it.

[greentires4me]

Originally Posted by Trace14

It's a nice resource to have, eh? Glad you have found it.

Yeah there is several crisis lines to call in where I live which is nice and there is also a crisis chat line as well...each does something different!!

Originally Posted by Carmina

Yes, but just once

why was that?

because of a bad experience?, or because you do okay without them

[Carmina]

Feeling more suicidal than I can usually cope with

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by Carmina

Feeling more suicidal than I can usually cope with

You are feeling that way now? Is there someone you can call, if so?

[Carmina]

Originally Posted by Trace14

You are feeling that way now? Is there someone you can call, if so?

No I meant then (was responding to previous question)

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by Carmina

No I meant then (was responding to previous question)

Whew. Scared me there. Glad you are okay.

[Carmina]

Originally Posted by Trace14

Whew. Scared me there. Glad you are okay.

Sorry about that.