Discussion experiences with help-lines?

[farewell_to_my_mask]

I personally havent had any experiences with the suicide helpline or any helpline is general, but i want to know if anyone here has?
if you have, was it actually helpful? did it make things worse/make you feel worse? just basically how was it
im just kinda curious since any time you mention ANYTHING along the lines of "i want to die and/or harm myself" people are always like "call the help line!!!" but I doubt that would help anyone? maybe in an impulsive moment but in the long run I dont think it would help at all.

 

[kopebaldy]

I don't think my experience is helpful but I called them exactly once using a throwaway sim card and phone.

To my surprise, someone actually picked up at 10pm, the lady had a soothing voice and she tried a lot to help me speak up in the nicest way possible, but I choked and couldn't say anything.

Threw the phone right after.

Sometimes I wonder if I things would turn out differently if I said literally anything.

 

[fremmiefish]

in my experience they havent been helpful whatsoever.
ive contacted my local helplines quite a few times and while theyre okay for short term relief and getting certain things off your chest theyre not good if you need anything long term. if you tell them you're actively planning to ctb or harm yourself theyre likely to call your local crisis line or the police.

they mostly just ask questions, tell you "wow that must be rough!" and if youre not at active risk they dont do much else. the only advice ive received from them regarding my ideation is to distract myself. do take my experience with a grain of salt though since i think it varies depending on where you live, and it could entirely just be an issue with the particular helpline i speak to.

 

[Doll Steak]

I texted one out of boredom once but nothing came from it. It was distracting though, Almost laughable in a stupid way because of all the dumbass questions they were asking. They kind of did their job, made me laugh at the conversation, lifted the mood...

A couple minutes later after I stopped speaking to the text line, a middle-aged sounding woman called my phone representing the hotline and I answered but didn't feel like talking so I immediately hung up. She then left a voicemail telling me she is just checking in to make sure I am okay but I never felt the need to call back.

Honestly I'd just call them, not because they'd actually help but because why not?

Although it would come with the risk of cops getting called on you but I don't know how likely that is or what the circumstances would have to be for that to ensue.

 

[Shiksa]

Personally my experiences have been negative. The hotline operators I ended up talking to seemed like robotic and not very engaged. Also if at any point they feel like the conversation isn't going their way they can call mental health or the police on you and depending where you are or the circumstances your freedom might be at risk. Maybe you'll end up talking to someone more equipped or who cares but anyone who calls should be careful.

 

[monetpompo]

i've called the helpline several, several times, mostly when i was still in high school because i was extremely lonely and had no friends. i mostly called so that i could hear someone's voice and hearing someone's voice at all felt good. but it's really not helpful. maybe a phone sex line would be more helpful.

like everyone else said, you pretty much gain nothing from calling it and it's kind of like dead air. it doesn't help anyone at all. it's mostly helped when i've had petty relationship drama and i wanted to cry about it and be told that i was the one in the right. for actual suicide or depression stuff, they don't really have anything to tell you.