[colorsofthewind12]

I am really struggling since my last session. I am in a lot of pain and feeling very depressed but my T doesn't allow out of session contact. I don't know how I'll survive till my next session.

If one calls a suicide crisis hotline, are they mandated to report you? Is there a record of the number who called them? Can anyone who feels comfortable share their experiences? What kind of support do they provide?

[ramonajones]

Originally Posted by colorsofthewind12

I am really struggling since my last session. I am in a lot of pain and feeling very depressed but my T doesn't allow out of session contact. I don't know how I'll survive till my next session.

If one calls a suicide crisis hotline, are they mandated to report you? Is there a record of the number who called them? Can anyone who feels comfortable share their experiences? What kind of support do they provide?

I worked on a suicide hotline for many years. The only way they try to find out who or where you really are is if you're in the middle of an attempt or tell them you're about attempt and can't be stopped. Then they will likely try to locate you and send help.

Are you under the age of 18? If you're talking about abuse in your home, that's a case in which they may try to find out who or where you are as well.

They do not call the police or ambulance on people just for having suicidal feelings, or even if they say they've been thinking of a plan. They only report if they perceive that you are in imminent danger.

You should really call if you feel like you need to. The whole point of those hotlines is that you're supposed to feel safe talking about suicidal feelings.

[Sunflower123]

I called one hotline and they wanted my address to send somebody out to access me. I hung up. The crisis line I use is one where you text 741 741 and type hello. They've helped me a lot.

[here today]

I've called the suicide hotline several times when I was feeling like I just couldn't stand my life and my feelings. I found them very helpful and calming. I told them I didn't want to spiral down into planning anything and they definitely seemed to understand that and the conversation helped.

I even worried that I was calling them "too much", even though the calls were several months apart, given that I was not exactly suicidal and maybe they do have some kind of limit, but if they do I didn't reach it.

Based on my experience, I definitely recommend that you try it.

[mindmechanic]

The policy is generally that anything you say will be kept confidential within the hotline. The only circumstances in which crisis hotlines break confidentiality is if they have reasons to suspect that you or someone else may be in imminent danger or harm or if they suspect that a child or elderly person may be abused. If they do contact the relevant agencies because you are suicidal, typically someone might show up and do a wellness check on you. It wouldn't be sirens and such. And crisis hotlines have different ways of tracing your number. They can't always successfully trace all calls. Even then, there is no guarantee that the hotline or police would be able to track down your physical address. Hope this helps.

Crisis hotlines are typically staffed by volunteers who are trained for the role as liners. Their skills would vary depending on their natural abilities and their ability to use the skills that they were trained in. But the basics would be active listening, empathy, motivational interviewing, suicidality assessment, and grounding and self-harm reduction techniques. Then again, each counselor is different. Some have excellent skills while others simply don't have what it takes for the position.

[splitimage]

I've volunteered on a suicide hotline for over 2 years now, and have never had to call 911. I've come close a couple of times, when the person had the means at hand and the intent, but in both cases, I was able to talk them through the crisis. I understand from the volunteer coordinator that we call emergency services on average of once per month, and that's across 3 locations fielding thousands of calls monthly.

Mostly I focus on active listening and take a strengths based approach to helping the callers get through the crisis, by asking if there's anything that's helped them in the past, or we brainstorm a list of coping mechanisms. I've done deep breathing exercises with people having a panic attack, and a lot of time, I'm just a friendly voice to talk to for people who are desperately lonely and have no one to talk to.

There are other lines in the area, that are more inclined to call emergency services on callers, but we as a rule don't.

And don't worry about calling too often, we have lots of regular callers. The only way we treat regular callers differently, is if they're not in crisis we try to shorten the length of the call. For example a typical non-crisis call might average 40 min, but with a regular, we might try to wrap it up at 20 min. If it's a crisis call we take as long as the caller needs to get through the crisis.

splitimage

[colorsofthewind12]

Thank you for sharing the info. I don't know comfortable I am reaching out to them. I'll think about it.

[Ididitmyway]

I don't have personal experience with suicidal hotlines but I don't think they would have you hospitalized if you are not actively suicidal. If you are just feeling suicidal but are still controlling your impulses and don't feel like actually doing it, it is my understanding that they would just talk to you as long as it takes for you to feel more stable. I think, they make an assessment over the phone about how much you are a danger to yourself at the moment.

You can also try "warm lines". They are not for emergencies but just for talking about anything.

[CalamityJane425]

hello,
My T has the same rule. Call the crisis hotline if you feel like the person your talking to isn't on the same page or in some cases sleep walking through your support politely hang up, then call to get a different person. About them reporting you here is what you need to do. Basically towards the end of the conversation they always ask what are your plans once you hang up.
You might say that you'll listen to relaxing music or perhaps play video games (if that's what your into) that question always annoys me, but its what they will ask you. Then you need to reassure them that you'll be safe tonight so you tell them that. Ask that if you feel bad again can you call them. Don't just tell them what they want to hear. Hopefully you will get a good support person on the other end.
I've called the crisis line for several years cause it was the only support I had, especially after Dad died.
But call them if your feeling bad. Because you'll feel better once you do okay?