When you call a suicide hotline, what information do you have to give them?

Question

I need to call someone but I can't let my mom find out. What is it they ask? Who are the people on the other line?

will they be able to track my call no matter what?

Answer 1

You don't HAVE to tell them anything. They will encourage you to share your problems and offer possible interventions.

They will ask your name, just so they have something to call you. Just a first name -- you can make one up.

Hot lines are manned by different people. I work in a hospital ER and often answer these calls. Hopefully you will get someone with mental health training, but some hot lines are manned by trained volunteers.

You can ask anything, or say anything -- you are in control; you are the one who can simply hang up.

We're there to help you, not to get you in trouble with your mother. We want you to live and will try to help you find a reason to.

I do have to tell you, if you call and say you just took 100 Tylenol, we will trace your call and send an ambulance.
Like I said we want you to live.

Answer 2

The people who answer are usually professionals in the mental health field or people who have been in the same position at one time or another.

I am a mental health counselor and I think you're doing the right by contacting someone. But honestly, you should tell your mom. It will make things a lot easier to deal with.

As far as information is concerned, they may ask you what your name is.

Answer 3

How you're feeling, why you're that way (you don't need to be specific) are the main ones.

While you can give your name, they don't care (so a pseudonym would be fine if you're nervous). They're there to listen to your problems, maybe give you suggestions, but mostly to give you another human to talk to.

The people who answer are for the most part, volunteers. Not medical doctors, not anything like that, just people who have been trained to help you out and listen. Some of them have been suicidal themselves and have come back to help people as they themselves have been helped.

Answer 4

The volunteers at the hot line will not know who you are, but they will have your address because of Caller ID. They have to keep the information confidential, but they will have the Caller ID information available in case someone becomes unconscious or unresponsive while they are on the phone with them.
If you need to talk, it is safe to call them. They are there because they can be trusted. Good Luck !

Answer 5

Sweetie if you need someone to talk to ---the suicide hotline is excellent to call---the ones answering the phone are volunteers geered to help you---you don't have to say or tell anything you don't want to---i hope whatever your plans are you get to talk to someone first. I'm gonna give you my email too so you can email me if you need someone to reach out to and ve a sounding board. Good Luck---and talk to someone first before making any haste decisions!
[e-mail]

Answer 6

Suicide Hotlines don't show up on your phone bill, so your mother won't find out. The people won't ask anything of you except why you want to talk to them (so that they can help you), and they're all certified counselors.

I've used 1-800-suicide before, and it was amazing. It was such a relief to talk to someone who didn't judge me at all, and who didn't threaten to send me to a mental institution.

Answer 7

you don't have to give out any personal info if you don't want to. The people on the other line are usually trained volunteers that are interested in getting you the help you need to get past you current crisis.

Answer 8

the people on the other end r trained men & women , there 2 help u with ur problem, or just listen , but u should tell them where u at just n case. good luck, remember, GOD loves u, even tho u dont think so

Answer 9

you only tell them what you want to tell them. they cant demand any information from you. and most hotlines are confidential. but just to be sure, why dont you call one and ask before you say anything else? please call.... i hope you get the help you need. god bless you!

Answer 10

you only tell them what you want and they are trained professionals- dont be afraid to call you are doing the right thing by asking for help