What do suicide hotline operators say?

  • Want to keep track of this thread?
    Accounts can bookmark posts, watch threads for updates, and jump back to where you stopped reading.
    Create account
A

Acoustic Virgin

kiwifarms.net
Joined
Feb 1, 2025
What does the person on the other end of the line say when someone calls the suicide prevention hotline?

I'm not talking about the tranny one (I'm sure they say some variation of "hashtag itgetsbetter" and "You're a heckin valid woman!") -- but the regular one. I've thought about it a lot and tried to put myself into the shoes of the caller, and if I happened to be in such physical and/or emotional pain that I was considering ending my life, I can't think of anything that a stranger on the phone would be able to say that would make me change my mind.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Acoustic Virgin said:
What does the person on the other end of the line say when someone calls the suicide prevention hotline?

I'm not talking about the tranny one (I'm sure they say some variation of "hashtag itgetsbetter" and "You're a heckin valid woman!") -- but the regular one. I've thought about it a lot and tried to put myself into the shoes of the caller, and if I happened to be in such physical and/or emotional pain that I was considering ending my life, I can't think of anything that a stranger on the phone would be able to say that would make me change my mind.
Click to expand...
unironically
you could call one, ask right away if it's a high stress time (as in, if you're holding up operators who would be needed for genuine suicidal people), and if not, ask them yourself, maybe even do a mock call with their consent
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I'd imagine they focus on keeping you talking so they can geo locate you if you're not dumb enough to just give all your PII and then send a squad car to bag and tag you. Stop this jumper/give him a 72 hour psyche hold. Congratulations, no more gun rights for you! Also if you ever do get out of the system, here's an astronomical bill that will restart the whole suicidal cycle! The system is designed to do what it ends up doing, not what it's stated purpose is for, or whatever.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A lot of joke responses here, and although I have no direct experience in this area because people who kill themselves are gay, I think the obvious place to start is with the realization that if they were actually ready to do it, they wouldn't have called. So with that being the case, you know they're looking for a way out of giving up. You just basically need to give them something to look forward to.

One of the most effective things that keeps people going is wanting to see certain parts of the world. So steer them towards that in conversation. Basically "ok, listen, if you're going to kill yourself anyway why not just delay it for a couple of weeks. Get on a plane or boat, or take a road trip to <insert place here> and just go soak in the sights and experiences. Enjoy what little time you may have left. Call me when you get back so I can hear all about it"

Most of the time the initial call is going to come at a moment of crisis, so just being able to delay a rash decision would be effective much of the time. But now they've experienced something different and exciting, and that alone could change their entire perspective on what life might have to offer.

Or if they have an incurable disease and want to go out on their own terms, ask them who they think the 5 worst people in the world are. Then subtly suggest that they could make the minecraft world a better place on their way out the door.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
We don't say a lot beyond asking if you are an immediate danger to yourself or others. The job is to listen. Most people just need a good rant. If you're calling the hotline, you want someone to stop you. Will I call the cops if you nod off or stop responding? Damn straight I will. That's legitimately my job. And that's why, if you really want to kill yourself, you shouldn't call the hotline.
ETA- In all seriousness, working the rape line was easier than the suicide line. At least on the rape line, I have helpful information and resources to give. It's more of a two way street, still with a great emphasis on listening. On suicide watch, it's mostly trying to convince people that they should take a nice nap before doing anything rash.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
Unarmed Gunman said:
A lot of joke responses here, and although I have no direct experience in this area because people who kill themselves are gay, I think the obvious place to start is with the realization that if they were actually ready to do it, they wouldn't have called. So with that being the case, you know they're looking for a way out of giving up. You just basically need to give them something to look forward to.

One of the most effective things that keeps people going is wanting to see certain parts of the world. So steer them towards that in conversation. Basically "ok, listen, if you're going to kill yourself anyway why not just delay it for a couple of weeks. Get on a plane or boat, or take a road trip to <insert place here> and just go soak in the sights and experiences. Enjoy what little time you may have left. Call me when you get back so I can hear all about it"

Most of the time the initial call is going to come at a moment of crisis, so just being able to delay a rash decision would be effective much of the time. But now they've experienced something different and exciting, and that alone could change their entire perspective on what life might have to offer.

Or if they have an incurable disease and want to go out on their own terms, ask them who they think the 5 worst people in the world are. Then subtly suggest that they could make the minecraft world a better place on their way out the door.
Click to expand...

OrionBalls said:
We don't say a lot beyond asking if you are an immediate danger to yourself or others. The job is to listen. Most people just need a good rant. If you're calling the hotline, you want someone to stop you. Will I call the cops if you nod off or stop responding? Damn straight I will. That's legitimately my job. And that's why, if you really want to kill yourself, you shouldn't call the hotline.
ETA- In all seriousness, working the rape line was easier than the suicide line. At least on the rape line, I have helpful information and resources to give. It's more of a two way street, still with a great emphasis on listening. On suicide watch, it's mostly trying to convince people that they should take a nice nap before doing anything rash.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your responses. That makes a lot of sense. Anyone who calls the hotline knows that it's not a "how to" line -- on some level they must want to be talked out of it... or at a minimum just have someone who is willing to listen to them.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
"Just do It"

chances are you'll save 85% more lives since most ppl who called just want attention/validation and denying them that, makes them move on the rest with their lives
the 15% on the otherhand got what they wanted and that "Pain" will no longer hurt them.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom