Have you ever called a crisis hotline?

[DivineSpark]

Did it help at all?

 

[sadalways]

Always been afraid because i've heard many stories where they send police to check in on you if you are a threat to yourself. Got really close to calling a few times but yeah, i odn't really trust it

 

[Oneiron]

It never helped me. They are just repeating what you say to them without offering any solution. Be very careful what you say to them, since the only thing they actively do is calling the police or ambulance.

 

[LunarEc]

I've texted one, I hid my identity though, they'll dump you to the police if you aren't so careful with your wording. In all honesty if you like the "care" that they give, then give it a shot, if you don't then don't call at all. It'll be a waste of your time.

 

[onmywaytothebusstop]

Did it help at all?

I've chatted with an anonymous suicide line. It helped me to get my suicide plan off of my shoulder and feel some relief.

 

[Skallagrim]

Yes. Twice. Never again will I call a service staffed by volunteers.

Perhaps my circumstances are unusual though?

I had a serious mental health breakdown waaaay back in 2005. I have multiple anxiety disorders and for reasons that I won't get into (because we'd be here all day) I actually developed a fear of food. Every time I'd try to eat I'd get more and more anxious that I was about to choke. I was eating less as a result, and getting hungrier and hungrier. The hunger was triggering panic attacks.

In the middle of the night, all I could think of was ending it. This wasn't treatable, it was getting worse, and I'd never be able to eat food again - was all going through my head again and again. So I called Samaritan's (UK).

I got someone who was obviously prepped to deal with depressive people, not people in the verge of terror, unable to cope, screaming and crying. He just could not wait to get me off the phone.

I called NHS direct straight afterwards (it was a good service then) and spoke to a nurse. She calmed me right down, said she'd sit with me on the phone while I tried a banana, and that I'd be ok.

 

[r.vival]

yes i have haha. i called an american one because my country doesn't have one. i was on it for only 13 minutes because allll my credits ran out. it doesn't make you completely not suicidal. god i wish it made all my problems go away. i felt numb afterwards. i was extremely lonely and i really craved to talk to someone. that's why is kinda sorta helped.

 

[3FailedAttemptss]

Yes and it ended with 20 police officers and 6 squad cars searching for me ٩( 'ω' )و

Ended up returning home and being confronted by two officers at my home (my mother and neighbors were there too) with orders to take me back to the psych ward. Somehow my mom convinced them not to take me, which idk if that was a good or bad thing (i really should've been locked up) - guess she was just being protective.

 

[DivineSpark]

Yes and it ended with 20 police officers and 6 squad cars searching for me ٩( 'ω' )و

Ended up returning home and being confronted by two officers at my home (my mother and neighbors were there too) with orders to take me back to the psych ward. Somehow my mom convinced them not to take me, which idk if that was a good or bad thing (i really should've been locked up) - guess she was just being protective.

Here in my country, on their website it says it is anynomous.

 

[3FailedAttemptss]

Here in my country, on their website it says it is anynomous.

I called my psych wards 24/7 hotline so they knew who I was as I'd used it before for med prescriptions etc.

 

[yehxlder.666]

I both texted and called it. When i called it for the first time, a woman picked up and started a normal conversation, asking me if i was ok, what was i doing etc. It was like she was reading a script. When i said i was fine she just couldnt say anything back, i couldnt explain myself either, so we both went silent, and after a minute i just hang up lol. It was terrible. But when i first texted it, i was able to have some kind of cool conversation, but i dont even remember how it ended, it was just a normal conversation about my problems with no solution at all. Considering the time i spent in the queue just to have a regular conversation, it wasnt useful at all.

 

[Reflection]

Talked with the samaritans once and I can confidently say that those guys ain't helping anyone but a teenager in panic.

 

[dontwakemeup]

I have called 2 times. Be very careful when they ask do you have a plan and the means to carry it out! They will send you help! I already knew not what to say. They were kind, patient, actively listened, didn't interrupt and overall let you let the gas run out lol. I think the idea is as long as you are talking, you are safe! I didn't feel rushed or anything. They gave me resources in my area but I never followed up. The 2nd time I called, I already had taken a load of pills and just didn't want to die alone. I said everything I felt before swallowing my pills. I don't remember the convo but I must have convinced the person I was safe. I'll probably never call again.

 

[Manic Panic]

Yeah a few times , no they don't help

 

[brightlittlestars]

When I was younger I did, it helped just having someone to talk to and helped in the moment a little but overall it didn't change much

 

[blackpillhopeless]

I called once (samaritans in UK), felt like they didn't really know what to say, and the line cut off after a while. No it didn't help.

 

[annasplight]

I've called before, it's all the same bullshit of, 'Oh, you have so much to live for! You're gonna hurt others!'
It's just a massive guilt trip that makes me feel shittier after calling, I don't really recommend, most of the people on the hotline are there only for monetary purposes and not because they genuinely care about suicidal people.

 

[human909]

I have called a crisis helpline before, it did not help at all for me. All they did was put me in a mental hospital for like a week and say stuff like don't do it you will hurt people. I really do not plan on calling them again.