10. How do telephone counselling and suicide hot-line services work?
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This article is from the Suicide FAQ, by Graham Stoney greyham@research.canon.com.au with numerous contributions by others.
10. How do telephone counselling and suicide hot-line services work?
Different services vary in what they offer, but in general you can
ring up and speak anonymously to a counsellor about any sort of
problem in a no-pressure context that's less threatening than a
face-to-face session. Talking the situation over with a caring,
independent person can be of great assistance whether you're in a
crisis yourself, or worried about someone else who is, and they
usually have connections with local services to refer you to if
further help is required. You don't have to wait until the deepest
point of crisis or until you have a life-threatening problem before
you seek help.
Demand for telephone services vary, so the most important thing to
remember is that if you can't get through on one, keep trying several
until you do. You should usually get through straight away, but don't
give up or pin your life on it. Many people that feel suicidal don't
realize that help can be so close, or don't think to call at the time
because their distress is so overwhelming.
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