Discussion I called the CTB prevention hotline. It didn't help me.

[theboy]

I had enormous anguish. The thoughts of self-harm were strong.
So I thought "well, a little help now is not bad".
I discussed what was going on with a pain in my chest and noisy thoughts.

"You are not a suicide risk so we won't talk too much. This line is only for "serious cases". Talk to your psychologist or call someone else :)

Experiences with it?

 

[Bootleg Astolfo]

Yeah, they're worthless lol. They're not there to help us, they're there to make all the useless people who don't do shit feel better about themselves by giving you a phone number, ran by people who also just want to feel like they're doing something, but not actually do anything usefull.

 

[angelalexandra]

theyre compleatly fucking useless last time i tried calling one the operator called me a slur and told me to move to the other side of the country after i said i didnt have enough money to leave my abusive house i think its one of those things that they can point to and say "see! were combatting mental health issues!" while doing fuck all to actually help anyone

 

[x3la]

Yeah, that sounds a lot like my experience. "what are you expecting to get out of this?" I don't know, maybe some reassurance? some help?

 

[Forveleth]

That sounds on brand for those helplines.

 

[Dejected 55]

I never called, but used the online chat... and it was pretty useless. I figured if I had been properly suicidal in the moment, that might have pushed me over the edge.

 

[Praestat_Mori]

That really sucks!

But what did you expect?

It's better to come and vent here!

 

[SVEN]

I honestly believe that you'll get more empathy and support here than on any "Help" line. And, if you are uncertain, then the Recovery thread would be worth a visit.

 

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Before joining sasu, every time I googled "suicide and methods," the first thing that came up was: "You're not alone, we can help, helpline, call us, we can help, you're not alone, it's preventable..." What a load of rubbish! I'm looking it up for a reason. If I call you to come, you'll lock me up in a mental hospital and give me pills. Of course you will. Go fuck yourself

 

[SeekingSerenity]

Which Hotline did you all use?

 

[cemeteryismyhome]

I've heard they are either slow to pick up, incompetent, or just wave you on to a therapist from a list they have. I'm sure there's a few sincerely helpful people in the mix, somewhere, if you're lucky.

 

[SufferingInDenmark]

what can they do? i never got that shit.
you have to have some pretty non-serious problems if a stranger on the phone can fix them for you.

and also i've heard, that all numbers that call a suicide hotline, go on a special list.

they secretly note you down as "crazy", and it goes into some sort of government system.

i'm talking about here in my own country...

nothing will happen. nobody will be at your door.
but i do believe that they keep a list.
and that itself is pretty creepy, when you're just looking to talk to someone

 

[theboy]

Which Hotline did you all use?

the official

 

[divinemistress36]

Either come on SS to vent or vent to Ai

 

[darksouls]

Which Hotline did you all use?

I used "Telefonseelsorge",the reviews on "Trustpilot" are very negativ,I can confirm that

 

[SilentSadness]

The hotlines are recommended by almost everyone which is how you know they're a waste of time.

 

[Dejected 55]

It's what happens when no one really cares about you. These hotlines are kind of a monopoly and all it seems and however they get funded, they don't have to really be good at what they are doing because there is no one else you can call/chat any time of day/night on no notice. Even if you have friends or family or whatever... it really should be a crime for such a service that puts itself out there as a "last stopgap" between you and the grave, to be as consistently bad at their service offering.