[splitimage]

I volunteer on a mental health telephone support line Fri nights, and this past Fri. was brutal. I had 2 very difficult callers. I can't really say what the calls were about, but one caller made me very angry as he disparaged a couple of groups of people which I belong to, and of course I couldn't express that anger. The other call was very triggery for me and brought up all kinds of abuse memories. I found it so hard not to just listen, try to be supportive, and not give the caller advice. We're not allowed to give advice.

Normally I really like working the lines, most of the callers are nice and greatful for us listenning, and usually I can relate and be empathetic, but with these 2 I found it very hard to remain impartial and supportive.

I don't know how professional therapists do it.

--splitimage

[crystalrose]

well done to you. Its a massive help to me when i ring a support line and get someone who will listen. Sorry you got crap callers this time.
Keep at it youre truly making a difference and you never know you might answer my call one day

[Sabrina]

Kudos to you for doing something so important. I know I couldn't do it myself. I am sorry you experienced such a rough time with these two callers.

[SilverNeurotic]

At least you made it through. It was rough, but you survived and hopefully the two callers who were giving you the hard time actually got some help from you.

How brave to be doing what you are doing. I don't know all your particulars, how long you have been sober. I do know that sometimes even though we have much to offer from our own life experiences, have wells and wells of compassion and kindness to offer the distressed and yes, angry, hopeless others out there floundering and caught up on the merrygoround named denial, sometimes it just might prove a wiser move to step back a bit...if you only have less than a year of sobriety, days like this, where the combative denials and ignorance set off multiple triggers, take you to that place where the old tapes start rewinding....this isn't good, for you, not safe at all. for you. I know you want to help others, have a need to spread the word that effective treatment and help is there, but perhaps it isn't time yet. I only say this if you do not have at least one full year of therapy, AA, NA and a good sponsor under your belt. That's all, I'm not trying to criticize you in any way. I do know I felt exactly the same way after my best dearest friend died, I so wanted to get involved in hospice and being there for families undergoing death, dying issues.... and I was honestly a bit dismayed and yeah, ticked off, when they refused to let me become a member of the hospice team....for the rule was...you can't be a part of a team if you haven't enough time, space and distance from your own grief. It is just common sense, and a good policy. Most hospice organizations want helpers who have put time and therapy between grieving and actually going out to help other grievers. So. that's all, again, I don't mean to sound at all judgemental, but just want you to honestly put yourself first, your recovery first, gain all the strength and wisdom that is so hard to attain once having been lost in the addiction maze...the wandering, hopeless despair that paralyzed you is so hard to see in another equally hurting soul..... just make sure you have taken good care of you first, have spent a goodly amount of time in program...then and only then can you truly be the calm, reasonable voice in the wilderness that will not set your own wolves howling. brightest blessings and all the very very best to you, I so admire and respect you.

[Junerain]

((((splitimage))))

You are too good hearted for folks like that, I know, I am too

[youOme]

I know telesales couldn't possibly even relate, but we used to deal with people on the phone and couldn't express our anger with them either. It's very difficult when they're cursing you up and done. Sometimes I'd get the occasional sad person that would sit there and tell me there sad life story and I wouldn't have mean streak to disposition them in the computer, I'd just sit there and listen to them. They seemed grateful to have someone listen.

I think it's cool what you do.

[notz]

Split Image,

Your sobriety comes first.

One never knows where their next lesson comes from.

You're a wonderfully dedicated woman.

notz