Suicide Call Back Line And Other Crisis Lines (australia)

[ms spock]

My therapist told me about the suicide callback service a long time ago... I've rung them several times since then, and have almost always gotten something useful from the call. Their website is at [DLMURL]http://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au[/DLMURL] and you can find out all about the online counselling, including booking appointments, from there. I haven't actually done the online part, but have heard that it's also helpful.

... a really detailed list of all sorts of help and support services, you can go to the ACPMH (Australian Centre for post-traumatic Mental Health)...[DLMURL]http://www.acpmh.unimelb.edu.au[/DLMURL] and follow the "find help" link. All services are categorised according to their type/specialty and there's a lot there that I didn't know about. It's worth a look, and many have good online information too, so it's also helpful for those outside of Aus.

I am ringing a lot Maddog because I need to and the Suicide Call Back Line is most helpful. I will look up the other resources and I appreciate your contributions.

 

[ms spock]

I also know that ASCA (Adult Survivors of Child Abuse) have a telephone counselling service (1300 657 380), but it only runs from 9-5 7 days a week. I have heard positive reports about the quality of the service.

I have had personal experience with ASCA to the point of being on national committees,co-ordinating the volunteers at one office, writing submissions and so forth. To my mind, unless things have changed drastically, it is a pretty dysfunctional and dangerous organisation, It shows why survivors or people who are survivors or particularly parents of survivors, shouldn't go into the helping professional. I was seriously assaulted and it was brushed under the carpet because the man that did it was the same age as the co-ordinators woman's own sexually abused son. Couldn't I have got it wrong that he didn't mean to drag me in his car, whilst I was half in and out, not just once but twice, whilst laughing. Another serious incident occurred as well and I won't bother to going into that. But in my opinion - it might be okay to ring up as a counselling service but I would advise against any involvement. I am concerned and angry at the amount of taxpayers money that this organisation gets as it could be put to better use in more functional organisations. But that is just my personal experience.

To be fair maddog has had good experiences so maybe things have changed.

 

[billie]

Man..... I hate injustice, this makes me angry to here that happened to you Ms Spock. I am glad you have the courage to inform us. Thank you.

 

[maddog]

Ms Spock, I too am deeply saddened, and angered, to hear of your experience. I am unsure what to say next, as I don't want to be responsible for taking this thread into anything more political or controversial than is helpful...

So I just wanted to clarify that I haven't personally had any form of direct contact with ASCA, though I know several people who have, as well as several people who have used their telephone counselling service. It is no coincidence that I have not had contact with the organisation itself. For a range of reasons due to my own experiences, I am deeply wary of organisations of this nature, for absolutely all of the reasons you both stated and implied. It is quite possibly unfair for me to judge all such organisations based on experience with only a couple, but I find myself doing so anyway, and from what you have just written, perhaps in this instance I was wise to be judgmental!!

I am very tempted to say more, but won't. But I did feel the need to mention the telephone counselling resource though, as Iam *just* objective enough to be able to acknowledge that a service of this nature *may* be useful as a stand-alone resource that does not require affiliation with its host organisation.

I am bothered by all of this the more I think about it, and again, so sorry for your experiences. I think i'll stick to the suicide callback service too!!

Maddog

 

[Abstract]

@Ms Spock, that is absolutely appalling and I am so sorry to hear it. That it should happen in such a place is beyond words.

Sending you and @maddog much support with this stuff. I know how hard it is for both of you at present. Sorry I haven't been going into diaries recently. Still thinking of you both all the time though and hoping you can stay safe.

 

[billie]

In waiting room woundering what meds they are going to prescribe to me. Its busy so I writing this to keep calm and ground myself.

 

[billie]

"Act normal Billie and they wont lock up!!!"

 

[macca]

@billie are you ok? When I am very distressed, I use a breathing technique my T gave me. It's got me through the suicidal urges a couple of times, it slows things down and helps me calm. It's this: breathing in slowly to your belly for 7 seconds, then hold for 11 seconds, and then slowly, slowly out for 11 seconds. I usually can't quite make the times, but trying to do it slows and calms me anyway.

Hope you are alright. Where are you? Or were you, since I notice you wrote this over an hour ago?

 

[ms spock]

@Ms Spock, that is absolutely appalling and I am so sorry to hear it. That it should happen in such a place is beyond words.

That is very kind of you. I need to develop better boundaries so as not to get into these situations. It was very poor show on their part I must admit.

I know how hard it is for both of you at present. Sorry I haven't been going into diaries recently. Still thinking of you both all the time though and hoping you can stay safe.

@Abstract It is good that you have boundaries about not going into the diaries to protect yourself.

 

[ms spock]

@maddog if their phone line is good as a stand-alone resource then use it for yourself.

It is kind of you to show loyalty. You are smart and will keep away from the rest of it I am sure.

 

[ms spock]

@billie PC me if you need to.

 

[billie]

Thanks guys very public break down yay for cPTSD!!!!! My Dr calmed me for over an hourvery kind......and now I start meds.