hotlines

if you call a hotline can they trace the number to you somehow?

would they?

feeling paranoid.

It depends on the hotline & what there policies are. Most helplines are annonymous, but some will take action if they think you're threatenning SU.

I've called a few times from a cell phone (pre-paid). I think the closest they can get to you is the cell tower its broadcasting from.

is there a number you can dial before ringing anyone so as to make your number appear as 'private' on caller ID (I know here, if you dial '0197' before putting in the phone number it blocks caller ID; i found it in the info section of my phone book, can't remember where exactly sorry!), but as splitimage said it depends on who is operating the hotline and what the nature of the call is.
*just wanted to add that this even works when I call a friend at CPS using their main number; she never knows it's me calling coz it comes up private with her too. that surprised me heaps given where she works...

(((((((((((((earthmama))))))))))))))))

I called a hotline once, and I too was afraid they would trace my location and someone would show up at my door.....
No one did.
This may sound strange, but maybe that is something you could ask the person as soon as you get on the phone with them?
Don't let your fear stop you from reaching out if you need help.
Your safety is most important.
And if they were tracing your location, I'm sure they wouldn't send police to your house unless you told them you were currently doing something to attempt to hurt yourself - if they did it would be pretty intrusive.
hang in there.................

you could always get your number perma blocked (mine is) and dial a 2 digit number to have it unblocked for certain calls... i woud be surprised if they can trace you even if your number is blocked tho but prolly only if you are on the line long enough and only with the cops help.

Thanks for asking this question, Earthmama--I as wondering the same thing myself.

I was very concerned about that when I called last year, but nothing happened. Not worth the days of building up and the couple hours dialing everything but the last number then hanging up, I think. Part was paranoia, the rest was I didn't know what to say.

Regardless of the hotline, the main thing is what to say and what not to say. Since you're calling a hotline, you don't wish to end your life really. Unless you want someone to come and you say, please send someone, then you need to tell them that you aren't in danger right now, and called for help to get through this "moment" of feeling so bad.

That's important. Unless you make a statement that you aren't going to do this act and just want to share that that's how bad you are feeling, you are leaving it up to the hotline to try and decide your intent. They will err on the side of caution.

If you talk with a seasoned helper, they will be able to determine how you are truly feeling, if you talk with them a short while. Newcomers to the hotline might panic.

So be sure to tell them that you aren't going to do anything now, and just need to talk with someone about those bad feelings.

I've been a director of a hotline, helping to set it up, and train the first workers. They want to help you.

Some hotlines don't have the funds to put caller ID on all their calls. However, generally, in the manager's office/station, there is a way to determine what number from which you are calling. Not all the regular workers know this. I say this so if you think by asking the hotline worker if they can find out your number and they say they can't, they might be telling the truth for them, but if there's a problem the manager can find your number.

If you are genuinely in trouble, ask for help. They have a resource list at their disposal and can give you other places to contact and find the help you need. It's not just about suicide. Hotlines help people who just don't know where else to turn for many life issues. Maybe that's why some workers do panic when they have a caller who is so depressed they want life to end? They help many people work through many issues, and then when "this" call comes in, it's scary to them, and they know your life might be on the line (literally and figuretively.)

Don't be afraid to call. But do be very clear up front that you are calling for talk help, and don't want them to overreact. Putting them at ease at the beginning will allow them to focus more intently on what you do say, rather than worrying in the back of their mind if they need to call help for you. OK?

Call if you need to. That's why they are there. (Many are volunteers, btw.)

In other words, you have not only to control your own sense of panic, but be ready to control that of the volunteers too.

To prevent it? Yeah. They aren't mind readers. Your safety is their primary concern (or should be.) But I think also saying up front that you know you sound really depressed might also help you to realize that things aren't that horrible. That's assuming you aren't calling to declare an attempt from which you want rescue.