Have you used any of the suicidal hotline chats/crisis lines?

[SeekingAfrica]

I know I have no reason to...in fact, it might be even that things will finally start to get better. But I'm having a horrible day today. The I-can't-thing-straight-nothing-is-helping day. The I-am-worthless kind of day. I took meds to calm down. I slept. I even made a list of the absolute must-do things for the day, and did them, albeit slowly. The feeling like I can't keep my eyes open and the panic have eased up a bit.

But now I'm hunted by feeling of so much pain and so much need to not feel this pain. That it's pointless, everything, and I'll never be out of this position. That I need a moment to breathe.

I need to buy 1 of the things I so desperately need(but I need to be practical, what if I don't get paid on time again??) but that aren't food so "they can wait". I need vacation, if only for 3 days, if I could only visit my friend. I need to lose myself in something that feels good. I haven't drawn, written or done anything creative in so long it's like I can't remember how. I wish I had the resources to decorate my new place and get the things it lacks, like proper chairs. The lists of things to do to fix this is daunting. I need something to make me feel good, to make me feel hopeful and like there is a reason to keep trying if only for a moment.

I'm considering trying online crisis chat I found just because there having been some times lately where I've felt like that. Like things just don't make sense, and whether there is actual hope is besides the point because I can't feel it. Had anyone talked to one of those lines? Did it help you?

 

[citygirlxo]

Yes, and it made me worse as the people are not educated. Most are volunteers. I called kid's help phone and a distress line; both made my symptoms worse. I don't trust them anymore.

 

[SeekingAfrica]

Yes, and it made me worse as the people are not educated. Most are volunteers. I called kid's help p...

That's really sad. If people who are specifically meant to help with this can't, then who can?

 

[Ronin]

They might be good in case you want to get angry about incompetence and uncomprehending idiots.

But maybe you'll luck out so hey, if you feel like it? I'd give it a shot.

 

[Deleted member 37474]

Try chat here. It is hit or miss but has pulled me out of a few flashback aftermaths.

 

[ms spock]

Had anyone talked to one of those lines? Did it help you?

Yes the Suicidecallbackline in Australia is brilliant. Lifeline is hit and miss they have a lot of people on it that push their religion down your throat. As I am not a man I have never rung the Mens Helpline. There is also the Anxiety Centre hotline which is based in Victoria. Beyond Blue was not helpful at all. I don't know what they do other than fundraise.

Calling the hotline really helped me ground and come back in to this now quite a few times. I don't need to ring but they are still there if I need them.

 

[EveHarrington]

Some crisis lines are pretty good so I wouldn't judge them all based on one experience.

 

[ms spock]

@citygirlxo If you get someone that is clueless, politely tell them you have to go. Thank the for their time and ring back and get someone else. I have never had to do that with the SuicideCallBackLine, but just about everybody I know has had to do that for Life Line, but there are some good people on that line as well. I have never spoken to anyone that has had a good experience with Beyond Blue, but I am prepared to believe that one day I will meet someone who benefited from them.

 

[SeekingAfrica]

To be honest I'm still too tired to even try talking to chats and trying to explain the mess that my head is right now. Today I've been crying through every single tiny thing I have to do. So I think I'll only do the most important things today and try to relax a bit, hope I have more energy tomorrow.

And then tomorrow I may try to talk to one of these. I'm not in australia, so I don't know if even the chat on one of them might work for me, but I found crisis chat called IMAlive, so I might try that, we'll see.

 

[digger]

Try chat here.

Chat here can be good as a distraction, but please bear in mind that it is not intended for use as a crisis service.

 

[digger]

I can't use phone chat lines, but I have used The Samaritans text and email services (UK) with mixed experiences. Unfortunately there are no instant message type crisis services here, so you have to be prepared to wait a while for a response and you also don't get the continuity of speaking to just one person. I have found it useful as a way to tide me over when I'm in, or on the edge of, crisis, until I can see my T.

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

I have, and I can tell you depending on where you are the quality of the person at the other end varies greatly. The national hotline routes to a local hotline near you. Some areas use volunteers, some use people with a psych background, often student interns or specially trained professionals.

Where I live the quality is top rate, the have on more than one occassion help me through my thinking on a problem. Making things manageable until I could see my T.