Suicide hot lines are useless

[CatLove56]

Hot take I know. I've called a few numbers over the last few years before and what they all have in common is they repeat what you say and agree with you without much effort. In other words you're basically talking to yourself. One guy gave me attitude like feel better already lol such a waste of resources. I'm 24 and am supposed to be around the age the brain is fully developed and I still feel like my shitty teen self. Not much has really changed.

 

[booray]

I called one once and they were nice to talk to and even called me back the next day to check in on me. But it's not like they were able to magically make my suicidality go away. Because sometimes it just doesn't get better...ever!

 

[Lorraine]

I was told to practice more self-care such as taking a long hot bath.

 

[calssilva]

It seems to me that these hot lines try to avoid only impulsive suicides...on one hand, I tend to understand, because to deal with complex questions about life and our feelings requires long term training and experience

 

[gus.nixon]

I was told to practice more self-care such as taking a long hot bath.

Holy shit why didn't I ever think of that? I'm gonna go bathe and all my suicidal thoughts will just wash right off.

 

[booray]

I was told to practice more self-care such as taking a long hot bath.

That's like when someone tells me to go take a walk to clear my head. I know they mean well, but my head is never going to be clear because my problems are insurmountable.

 

[Bootleg Astolfo]

I was forced to talk to them a handfull of times and they kinda just spent a while telling me dumb ''lifehacks'' ive already been told 1000000x times already. Or they'd spend a painfull amount of time explaining really simple stuff like i'm some sort of complete moron when anyone could get the point after 5 second. God they suck.

 

[Toptock]

Certain people in life already do this. They'll echo your words and basically tell you that, because you feel this way, you need therapy. Except therapists do the same thing.

Developing emotional intelligence is where its at. Learn to trace your problems to the source and figure out how to combat it yourself. Hotlines and doctors won't help. They just want money.

 

[CatabolicSeed]

They're good for if you want to feel less alone, but that's basically all.

 

[Thatdude]

I never used one, but the idea of it seems kind of ....

Like if someone is really going to off themselves that second, is calling a random number and talking to someone on the phone that honestly won't notice if you were hit by a bus going to help at the end of the day? I think they might be fine if they adapt and maybe start looking at drugs and maybe be open about drugs and side effects. That or explain what given drugs might do. That or if they actually do help someone like getting them into a better life. (I was talking about legal drugs btw)

IMO hotlines are only for

1. people want attention. Like those who hold a knife to their throat but completely stop when someone offers ice cream type of thing.
2. people who are lonely
3. trolls
4. maybe a small group that maybe it does help out in a real way.

 

[BandAddict]

I once used a text lifeline thing a few years ago because my psychosis was so bad. I was too afraid to actually speak over the phone, so I opted for a not-so-reliable textline instead. The girl just kept saying things like "oh, that must be scary". Then she disconnected with me.

I haven't actually spoken over the phone with one of the hotlines, but I have their numbers written down everywhere because of mental health professionals always having me do so.

I don't realistically see myself using one. Generally if I'm that close to doing something to myself, I can't hold a conversation and I don't really know if I'd want someone to stop me anyway. I don't know...

And when I do wish someone was there for emotional support, I'd just be embarrassed of myself or ashamed of using a resource that won't have lasting positive effects. And I'd be afraid of seeming like I just wanted attention, like if I wanted to do something to myself I just would, right? Mixed feelings all around.