my experience calling a suicide hotline

[avalokitesvara]

This is my experience calling the biggest suicide hotline in the UK. I reached a point where the pressure of the thoughts was too much to keep inside and I have no-one in real life it's possible to talk to about suicide.

The first time I called the phone rang for around 45 seconds and then a man picked up the call. I panicked a bit and hung up.
I tried again a bit later. There was a kindly-voiced middle aged woman on the line and I felt more comfortable. She asked me what was going on and I expressed my thoughts. We talked about the possibility of getting help and she gently suggested getting a doctors appointment. I agreed to try to do that on my next day off work. She then asked if I wanted a call back on that day to check in on how it went. She asked a suitable time and took my number.
They called back at the agreed time on the day scheduled to check in. It was a different handler but she was also middle aged and kindly. I said I hadn't managed to see the doctor and I didn't receive any judgement about that. We talked a bit more and then I ended the call. She encouraged me to phone again whenever I wanted to.

Overall it was quite a good experience. After the first call I did feel the pressure was relieved a bit and I felt a little bit calmer. The fact they phoned me back and said I was welcome to keep calling felt like there was at least somewhere I could turn to when the thoughts get really heavy. It was quite strange to say out loud all the thoughts I've had for years and years. I don't know if I really want help or want to recover but I felt it was a resource I could use if I did want to.

I didn't expect it to constitute actual help, and it isn't, but it is a form of human connection that can be supportive if you need it.

 

[VoidButterfly]

Wow, it's so nice to hear one of these stories go positively. Thanks for sharing.

 

[weallhaveourghosts]

This is my experience calling the biggest suicide hotline in the UK. I reached a point where the pressure of the thoughts was too much to keep inside and I have no-one in real life it's possible to talk to about suicide.

The first time I called the phone rang for around 45 seconds and then a man picked up the call. I panicked a bit and hung up.
I tried again a bit later. There was a kindly-voiced middle aged woman on the line and I felt more comfortable. She asked me what was going on and I expressed my thoughts. We talked about the possibility of getting help and she gently suggested getting a doctors appointment. I agreed to try to do that on my next day off work. She then asked if I wanted a call back on that day to check in on how it went. She asked a suitable time and took my number.
They called back at the agreed time on the day scheduled to check in. It was a different handler but she was also middle aged and kindly. I said I hadn't managed to see the doctor and I didn't receive any judgement about that. We talked a bit more and then I ended the call. She encouraged me to phone again whenever I wanted to.

Overall it was quite a good experience. After the first call I did feel the pressure was relieved a bit and I felt a little bit calmer. The fact they phoned me back and said I was welcome to keep calling felt like there was at least somewhere I could turn to when the thoughts get really heavy. It was quite strange to say out loud all the thoughts I've had for years and years. I don't know if I really want help or want to recover but I felt it was a resource I could use if I did want to.

I didn't expect it to constitute actual help, and it isn't, but it is a form of human connection that can be supportive if you need it.

I found the crisis line for my county (US) to be very kind and friendly for the most part. They also checked in on me. 988 on the other hand literally just no. Nope.

 

[TheEmptyVoid]

I found the crisis line for my county (US) to be very kind and friendly for the most part. They also checked in on me. 988 on the other hand literally just no. Nope.

988 is complete bullshit, after reading a couple threads about 988, because they think just a couple words can save a severely depressed person instantly like it's their job (which OBVIOUSLY WILL NOT.)

 

[qw3rty259]

The first time I called the phone rang for around 45 seconds and then a man picked up the call. I panicked a bit and hung up.

Haha, I remember I heard of some social experiment where people would choose whether they feel safe around certain people, to hear certain voice etc... Generally people would choose a group of women, while men would be considered more dangerous or unsafe... Relatable though

 

[Carryline]

I also called a suicide line. They told me they cannot help me and they hang up.. lovely experience