Has anyone here called the suicide hotline and felt they were rude and not helpful?

Question

Ive called about six times in six years and some were rude from the get-go.

Answer 1

Many years ago I called one. My words were " I can't stand the **** anymore and I'd rather be dead"

It was a male voice that told me "I don't' listen to profanity, you need to choose another word other than the "s" one".

I said " are you ****-in" me?"

He hung up the phone...................

It was a suicide Hot-Line here in my home town.

I called a local radio station? The DJ stayed on the phone with me for 9 hours. He would play a song, tell me he had to break for a moment, he would go back and forth between me and his job.

He made jokes, conversation, ask me about myself and got me to tell him my problem..............

I owe that man a debt of gratitude for his personable means and ways. I would say that he went beyond what he had to do.

I didn't go through with what I thought of that night. Instead, that man, that DJ, that angel in disguise made me stop and think.

If I had allowed that "Crisis Center" to perpetuate or dictate my emotions that night I would be dead today. I would say that during something like calling a suicide hot-line you encounter a smug and rude person? To not let it end or persuade your thought. I would say that if you reached out in the first place, then you didn't really want to die. You just wanted to have someone hear you...................

Answer 2

I've worked on suicide hotlines for about 18 months before I burned out from the work. During that time I found that there are lists of "regulars" that call simply because they are lonely and want someone to talk to. They can become very demanding and selfish.

If there are few calls coming in the hot line help can talk. Unfortunately when these regulars flood the phone banks other people who need urgent care cannot get through. Sometimes what might be perceived as rudeness, is appropriate.

What the regulars need to do is find other people to call so they don't swamp the suicide hot lines.

Answer 3

we live in a city of 80,000 and we don't have a suicide hotline. We have to call to a city 3 hours from here if we want to talk to someone and there is no toll free number so it costs..Nice to know when you are suicidal that you have to PAY to call someone who can talk to you to tell you that your financial stress and everything will get better. ironic huh?

Answer 4

We have distress centres over by us, but it's the same idea. I've talked to some decent people and a couple people who weren't all that helpful. One person in particular though helped me a lot. Please don't stop trying if you need the service and don't hesitate to try some ongoing counselling if you are still feeling down now. I really hope things go well for you.

Answer 5

No, but if so you should report the operator to his or her supervisor. It isn't fair for someone ot be reaching out during a crisis and get treated disrespectfully.

Answer 6

Why do you have this doubt in the first place? did you try calling?

Answer 7

Sorry man, you seem to call everytime I've got pms. Call either a week before or a week after you feel like calling. Thanks.