[puzzclar]

My T caught me on something today. I'm looking to go into counseling and there's some major hurdles, still. He caught me on something. The fact that I have never called a crisis line while working with him. Here's my question, without too much detail, (unless you want).

If you have called a crisis line, did it help you? Would you call again?

I would say that quite a few years ago, I called one. I didn't think it was that good. It's difficult for me to pour out my problems to a total stranger on the phone. Obviously the other person does not know me at all.

Another thing that I had discovered is that it seemed like the person I would be talking to would be a college student. Being middle aged, I feel like people that young would not know what it's like being at my age.

That's my experience with Crisis Lines.

[moodycow]

I have only called once and it was very helpful.

[Sprite22]

I never used one...so no ideas.But I could have.

[Kathleen83]

Called once, never again. Ended up with a friggin cop outside my door, demanding to speak with me. I wasn't suicidal or homicidal, I was calling the crisis line because I was in middle of anxiety attack and was trying to find a local therapist I could afford, resources close by. Did NOT need to try to explain all this to a cop. I fled out the back door while I left hubby to deal with cop at front door (and hubby had been oblivious to what was going on with me) - nope. Never again.

[Angelique67]

I have, many times. It all depends on the person you get on the line, whether it's a relief or not. They never sent cops out, I always said I was not a danger to myself or others.

[Rohag]

Short Answer: Yes, I have used a crisis line (Veterans Crisis Line) . The counselor's counsel was to present at an emergency room, which I did while in an irrational state. No, I personally will not resort to a crisis line again; instead I will use extra doses of my antianxiety medication, for which my pdoc has given me a green light.

Long Answer: My Recent Heat Crisis (2012)

[Zippo]

A pay phone outside a supermarket. Christmastime. So depressed I needed to talk to a crisis line. Next thing I knew 4 cops with flashlights in my eyes yelling at me to put down the phone. Up against the wall being frisked. Into the squad car with absolutely no knee room. Never been in one before. How do taller people even get in? Checked for "priors" as if depression is a crime. Put into an ambulance and hauled away. All those shoppers looking on and having no idea I was just depressed. This was outside a restaurant full of people who had nothing to do but watch what was happening to me. They must have thought I was dealing heroin to the preschool or committed armed robbery by the treatment I was receiving. Never again will I call a crisis line. I'd rather die.

[Angelique67]

Wow. What country are you in?

[LifeIsCruel]

Yes!
VERY beneficial!
I-800-SUI-CIDE has helped me GREATLY!!!!

Great people...good listeners...great advice!!!

also 1-800-273-TALK

[puzzclar]

A little more background. I was talking about writing a paper that could put me in a situation that I may have to call. and I have always seen it as a sign of weakness, and now my T is cracking down because if I can't even call it, how can I expect others to. (going into counseling). The next question is (for him or for you all) what type of situations do you expect either yourself or me(depending on who's perspective) do you call?

Originally Posted by puzzclar

If you have called a crisis line, did it help you? Would you call again?

Yes & Yes ...



ps. I've had to call more than once and won't hesitate to call again when and if I need to!

[Browncurtains]

No I have never called. But I am considering doing it. After reading about the cops though it makes me a bit wary. Why did the cops come? And if I did call, is there a chance that some cops would show up?

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by puzzclar

A little more background. I was talking about writing a paper that could put me in a situation that I may have to call. and I have always seen it as a sign of weakness, and now my T is cracking down because if I can't even call it, how can I expect others to. (going into counseling). The next question is (for him or for you all) what type of situations do you expect either yourself or me(depending on who's perspective) do you call?

I called when I was in complete despair and loneliness and not able to do anything to make myself feel better. I didn't have any materials for ending it all. I guess it does scare me now to think the police could come.

[Zippo]

When I was apprehended by the cops I was just a peaceful female who was extremely depressed on a pay phone. When they arrived I just went neutral. I'm certainly no threat. I believe the person on the other end of the line must have thought I was suicidal and called the cops somehow while still talking to me. She had asked me where I was and I must have stupidly told her, not knowing what would happen. Police are the front line mental health workers unfortunately and they aren't trained for it. However, I think crisis lines are useful and police are sometimes not so gruff and I wouldn't want anything I said of my experience to dissuade anyone from phoning a crisis line when needed. I'm sure they can be very helpful and maybe even save your life. My experience is hopefully rare.

This may be off topic a little bit. One time my sister and I were talking on the phone. We live very far away from each other (in which I would prefer it that way). We were talking about why I have been single all of my life and giving me all kinds of suggestions on how to get a woman. It depressed me a lot and the more we talked, the worse it got. She was nagging so much. And I just happened to have the blues at that time already. So I told her, casually, that I would like my life to end. I really didn't mean it. We argued about that. After I hung up with her, she had called the police to tell them I wanted to end my life. The police showed up at my door, but they seemed very nice to me. They didn't do anything. But I was mad at my sister for calling the police.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Originally Posted by Browncurtains

No I have never called. But I am considering doing it. After reading about the cops though it makes me a bit wary. Why did the cops come? And if I did call, is there a chance that some cops would show up?

I have talked to a few crisis counselors about this....they ALL said they do not want to have to call for rescue for you. They just want you to be safe and feel better. I was told each and every time that unless I was in imminent danger....they wouldn't call anyone. they just want to talk to you. Help you out. I have always had a good experience. My Dr always encourages me to call and has me carry the number. I have rapid cycling bipolar and it escalates quickly. Its dangerous. I have called while crying and wanting to self-harm but not about to commit suicide....all they did was chat.

[puzzclar]

I've been thinking about this a lot. Especially since my living situation is no longer safe for me. I had a facilitator very concerned today. Asking if I had a safety plan. Then she told me that my T has the crisis line. He's been on me about calling before. It scares me that they can say hey you need more help and you're in danger so go to the ER. Or having him call the cops to take me to a safe place. Then the conversation of if you didn't call and something happened, he would be angry at me. Crisis lines are there for a reason, but for most of us, it's a sign of needing so much help that some don't use. The other thing that scares me is having someone over hear and then call the cops because they do not know the situation.

I think the crisis line is safe, but the actions of others are unforeseen and that's what scares many of us.

Thanks all for your stories and influence.

[ToeJam]

Crisis line has been both useful and harmful for me in the UK... and it's very dependant on the person you get at the other end of the phone. In contrast to voluntary (and less trained) phone lines like Samaritans for example... crisis line is manned by registered nurses who are doing a paid job that they are contracted too... as such, you can get someone who is companionate and passionate about their job... and another who is not so much.

My community psychiatric nurse put it another way: that crisis team members do both house calls and man the phones... as such, there is a split between what they prefer.

Two examples.

1. I call in crisis having been told I am no longer under the crisis team, but I have access to their line as an outpatient... I call the number I have and speak to a really nice woman who talks me down from a moment of irrational stupidity and then tells me that technically I used the wrong number as some of her colleges may have hung up on me: reason? that number is specifically for crisis home treatment... but all phone lines come through to the same office so she gives me the right number to use.

2. I call up having eloped from hospital and thinking I am still registered with the crisis team... I call them as I trust no one at the hospital at that time but my mother has screamed at me down the phone after me finally accepting her call after disconnecting continuously for an hour as I walked into town to purchase implements to commit si. The person at the other end tells me quite bluntly that I have been discharged by the crisis team and I should speak to the hospital as she can't talk to me... was a crazy spiral moment after I hung up chuckling in bemused apathy and determination.

The last example was technically the first example but I wanted to start off with a positive.

[geis]

In the US, crisis lines often use the same call tracing software the police use, so you don't even necessarily have to tell them where you're located for them to send the cops after you. I've also had them trick me into giving them a phone number ("In case we get disconnected") so they could send the cops after me.

The police response you get, if the crisis line sends them, can vary drastically based on your area, how well they train the officers to deal with mental health issues, and the individual officer.

I'm generally more trusting of peer-run warm lines. Peer counselors are generally less likely to panic and call the cops, and those warm lines generally don't have the funding to buy call tracing programs. The problem with warm lines is that they're not available in a lot of areas, and they often have very limited hours.

Recently, when my local peer-run warm line wasn't available and I was having a serious suicidal crisis, I called three different crisis lines and tried an online crisis chat. Not a single one of them had anyone available to talk to me, which just reinforced the belief that I didn't matter and my life wasn't worth saving.

[nymphea]

I don't like calling crisis lines but during the times I did it seemed to calm me down. I usually prefer talking to my T or people that know me. It sucks to hear that some people have had such bad experiences though.

[favoritefountain2]

Just wanted to add my own experience. I have used a crisis line once. It was a very hard point for me, my second worse. The person on the other end got me through.