[Stronger]

I'm in need of some extra support right now. Last week I got out of the hospital and I'm not doing much better now than I was before I went in.

Has anyone ever called a suicide hotline before? What is it like? What are the chances that calling will land me right back in the hospital?

The intensity and frequency of these thoughts is really starting to scare me.

[MtnTime2896]

It can help, just to have someone to talk to. If only to verbally release what's inside our minds.
It has helped me in the past, though not every time. It really depends on who you're talking to. Some can really comfort you and some are basically reading from the script.
If you choose to remain anonymous, they'll allow that; so you don't have to worry about going back to the hospital unless you make the decision to do so.

[Skeezyks]

Hello Stonger: I'm sorry you're not doing well. I've never called a suicide hotline myself. I've been in hospital psych wards twice. (I presume that's where you were.) That period of time just after you're released can be difficult. The first time I was hospitalized, after I was discharged, I attended a partial hospital program. It was very helpful. It wasn't even so much that I learned anything particularly new & different. But it gave me something to do, somewhere to go, & people to be with who were struggling with similar problems. (The second time around, I just toughed it out on my own.) Personally, I think it's important to have something, such as a php to go to, if something like that is a possibility for you.

[MickeyCheeky]

Never called, too shy to do that... I just wanted to say I'm sorry, though If you feel like calling a suicide hotline can help... do it I don't think you've got something to lose by doing this..

[*Laurie*]

Hi, I have called suicide hotlines and my experience with them was very good. The couple of times I've called, the counselors I spoke with were kind and listened well.

[dexter]

I will second what Só leigheas said: it may depend on who you are talking to.

I called a hotline thirteen years ago when I was ready to commit suicide but decided I did not want to die. My first call did not go well: the crisis person said I was acting childish and hung up on me. I stared at the phone for a few minutes in disbelief but it strengthened my resolve that I needed help and that it wasn't supposed to go like that. I called again and got a very supportive person who brought in a friend of mine on a three way call and got him to come give me a ride to the hospital, which is what I needed at the time.

They are there to help you so if you don't get the help you need try again. Subsequent calls over the years have helped me so I believe that first experience was very far out of the norm, and also no subsequent calls have led me to the hospital, they have helped me to apply my coping skills I learned in the hospital so that I was able to safely prevent a return to the hospital.

There are "warm lines" you can call if you are not in crisis, I've never tried one but I would think if you are not in trouble of needing hospitalization one of these might be safe to call.

[ScientiaOmnisEst]

The first and only time I called one, they basically tricked me into getting admitted to a hospital. A depression or mental-health centered line is probably better if you just want to talk.

[Fuzzybear]