The Crisis Text Line Called The Police On Me

[Hercules]

A few days ago, tried texting the crisis text line at 741741. I have texted it a few times before. The good thing is they usually reply instantly -(2 -3 minutes) and you can save your texts if you call back again. Despite this, it seems that many of the volunteers at this line are bad compared to some of the other ones. The first person I texted with was completely clueless, so I politely thanked her for talking to me and disconnected. About 10 minutes later, I texted again and spoke to a lady who was very nice. Unfortunately I admitted to having suicidal thoughts, but I denied having a plan or the means to do so. I wasn't home at the time. I was with a friend, so I thanked her for talking to me and lied telling her I felt better before disconnecting. I was checking something else on the phone, when 2 minutes later, I get a notification saying that I missed a phone call(I had the phone set in silent mode). It was the National Suicide Hotline calling me back. I admit that I was somewhat freaked out, as they have never called me back before, and I had blocked the Caller ID. There was no way I was going to return their call, so I turned off the phone. That was a big mistake.

I spent the afternoon with my friend, and then we went out to dinner. During this time I had the phone off. I turned on the phone 6 hours later. There was a panicked voicemail from a woman at the National Suicide Hotline telling me to call them back immediately as I needed " more help". Later there was also a text message from them telling me that I had disconnected the chat and asking me to call the National Suicide Hotline immediately for more help. Then there were 4 more calls from the National Suicide Hotline about every 45 minutes. The next morning, there was a text from the police department in the city where I texted the crisis line. It said" This is Officer so and so from the X police department. If you need assistance, please feel free to reach out to me. We can help you."

Lucky for me, that I was using a cheap burner phone that wasn't registered in my name, and I had turned location services off. That I made the call in another city 15 miles from where I live. Apparently the Hotline called the police when I didn't return their calls. The police were able to track which city I was in when I made the call, but unable to determine my exact location as I turned the phone off and left the area. They don't know who I am because the phone isn't registered. Of course, I had to get rid of the phone ASAP. I am honestly somewhat freaked out about all the fuss. Sure, I was upset, but I denied having a plan or the means to carry one out and told her that I felt better after talking to her.

I don't know why I bother to call these helplines. I know that they can't really help me. I have tried many of the online chats. Some are definitely better than others. Also it depends on who you get when you call. Some of the volunteers are very nice and really do try to help you. Some of the nicer ones have been able to calm me down and make me feel better at least temporarily. They have delayed the inevitable I suppose.In the end nothing is going to change.

 

[juraviel]

I never called a suicide hotline but i think the only goal is to help you 'come to your senses' in the moment and then connect you with an institution that will actually then help you. i dont believe they hire psychologists there that you can call anytime for phone therapy. Tbh you couldve answered the phone and just tell em you're ok now..

 

[toforigivelife]

This is a great example of why people commit suicide.

No one is willing to simply listen to you.

No one is willing to just give you their full attention and listen to what is going on in your head, what is going on with you emotionally, financially, etc.

They hear the word suicide and you get the usual barrage of "get help" or the usual solution of pouring happy pills down your throat.

I appreciate that people find suicide to be a disturbing topic but it's a real shame that not even a person who is specifically trained to deal with suicidal people cannot just be an ear to listen.

This is why suicidal people wind up isolated and then everyone wants wring their hands wish that the person who died by suicide had "reached out" to them when we needed them.

In most cases the person has reached out numerous times only to get shut down, thrown in a psych ward or to have law enforcement show up at their door.

I'm not saying that listening is the magic antidote for those who are intent on catching the bus but in some cases just hearing someone out without calling in the National Guard can be helpful.

The only teeny tiny, miniscule silver lining to your dark cloud is that law enforcement could not find you as they are the worst people to get involved in a suicidal crisis.

I'm sorry that this happened to you.

 

[This_sux ✓]

Wow... That's... Selfish behavior from hotline volunteers. That should definitely not happen.

Anyway, i think that suicide hotlines are simply made to stop suicides that are 100% really going to happen, not to give small-talk and soothe the nerves of the caller.
I would never call them even in crisis.

 

[FuneralCry]

I'm sorry you have been through this. I would personally never go anywhere near these hotlines. From what I have heard many people have had negative experiences. No amount of talking would do anything to help me anyway. I wish you well.

 

[Hercules]

I never called a suicide hotline but i think the only goal is to help you 'come to your senses' in the moment and then connect you with an institution that will actually then help you. i dont believe they hire psychologists there that you can call anytime for phone therapy. Tbh you couldve answered the phone and just tell em you're ok now..

Yes. You are right. I can see now that I over reacted. I did call them from an unregistered phone. They wouldnt' have known who I was. It just took me by surprise when I turned the phone on and saw that they left me a half a dozen messages. I must have unknowingly said something that really alarmed the volunteer that I spoke to. I have called these hotlines before, and I never had any of the volunteers become hysterical before.

 

[ClownMe]

Shows how much of a joke crisis lines are.

 

[Pure]

Ugh I'm so sorry that happened.

I stopped contacting them when I realized they're only for acute crisis for people who've never been suicidal before.

 

[Hercules]

The only teeny tiny, miniscule silver lining to your dark cloud is that law enforcement could not find you as they are the worst people to get involved in a suicidal crisis.

Yes, I am glad the police didn't know who I was. I feel like I really dodged a bullet there. I can't believe that the police sent me a text message, because I texted the crisis line. Has this ever happened to anyone else.? I have never heard of such a thing, but of course I suppose no one irl would tell me if it had. Did the police think that I would call them back and say:

Hi. I am the person that called the crisis line earlier. You have been looking for me. Here is my real name and address. Could you please come to my house right away with your sirens blaring? It would really make my day, if you could arrest me even though I am not a criminal and have done nothing wrong. it would be great if You could humiliate me in front of my neighbors and give them something to gossip about for months, by cuffing me and dragging me to the police car. Then you could further traumatize me, by forcing me to be hospitalized even though it unfortunately won't help me In any way and will probably put me in debt for years.

 

[Donk]

I'm not saying don't call the crisis line but I've gotten better help on SS than someone reading script on the phone. Just sayin

 

[Acopia]

GOSH, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME!

I used to live in this house that I didn't particularly feel safe in (I had a housemate who was a lunatic - long story); so I made for myself a little den in some woodland, it was only like 20 mins walk from my house so not far.. but out the way enough for me to feel safe. I used to buy loads of beer cans, go sit there, and quite happily get drunk, then sneak back home in the early hours of the morning.

So this one time I was feeling reeaally low, so texted this crisis line, we got chatting, I shared some suicidal thoughts, then at some point I was so drunk I just passed out in my little sanctuary. I woke up however long later with this bright torch light being shone in my face - and about four or five police officers trying to drag me up and over this fence you had to jump to get there.
Apparently when I stopped replying the crisis line got spooked and rang the police. The police set about looking for me (it must've been quiet for them that night). They took me up the local psych hospital under a psych hold, I was assessed, and of course they let me go again because it's next to impossible to get admitted where I live.

But yeah, really bizarre chain of events. I kinda think if you don't want a death on your service, don't advertise your services to suicidal people!
-A