Anyone with any experience with crisis hotlines?

When I was in inpatient, two of the therapists there thought that since I stayed out of the drama and all the girls there would come to me for advice ( *pats self on back* Thank you, thank you.), I would do really well volunteering at a local crisis hotline. And then when I was in outpatient, the therapist there brought it up as well. I'd love to do something like that, since I can't tell you how many times I've stared at the phone in desperate need of help, but I was too scared to call a hotline. But am I...uhhh...stable enough for it? I've been in touch with the place, and on the application they sent me I noticed that I'd have to put down that I attempted suicide, been depressed for 10 years, am in therapy, etc. I feel like I'm pretty in control of things at the moment, mental-wise, if that helps. The hotline I'm contemplating volunteering for is for teens to call into, so I'd definitely will feel comfortable talking with them. Would I do well with it because I can relate and would be totally non-judgemental, or would my problems mixed with theirs not mesh so well?

beautyfrompain wrote:When I was in inpatient, two of the therapists there thought that since I stayed out of the drama and all the girls there would come to me for advice ( *pats self on back* Thank you, thank you.), I would do really well volunteering at a local crisis hotline. And then when I was in outpatient, the therapist there brought it up as well. I'd love to do something like that, since I can't tell you how many times I've stared at the phone in desperate need of help, but I was too scared to call a hotline. But am I...uhhh...stable enough for it? I've been in touch with the place, and on the application they sent me I noticed that I'd have to put down that I attempted suicide, been depressed for 10 years, am in therapy, etc. I feel like I'm pretty in control of things at the moment, mental-wise, if that helps. The hotline I'm contemplating volunteering for is for teens to call into, so I'd definitely will feel comfortable talking with them. Would I do well with it because I can relate and would be totally non-judgemental, or would my problems mixed with theirs not mesh so well?

This is the reason you should do it because you CAN relate to them in a non - judgmental manner. I would say to follow your instincts, your heart, your inner feelings, what ever you want to do. If it feels right for you, go ahead and volunteer. If at any point in your life, you do not wish to do it anymore remember that you are under no obligation to continue to volunteer. Whatever you do in life, you are in harmony with yourself when you act on your feelings and not through the guilt or self image of obligations or that you "must" do something or that you "should" do something.

I would not share with them that you actually tried to commit suicide or that you go to therapy or that you blah. blah blah ....... I do not have a problem sharing my "lows" with people but one usually has to build a repport with someone and remember this a hotline. It is not a face to face. You can not see them or touch them.

However, you can always comfort them and say, "I know how you feel, I had someone very close to me go through the same exact situation". And you did that someone was yourself

Best of luck to you and I say: GO FOR IT but do not loose yourself in the process. If it gets to be a pressure and not a pleasure, listen to yourself and stop at that point.

Whitney Houston wanted to stop singing a long time ago and be with her child but her fans and her manager did not allow her and she did not say, "Okay stop, I have had enough." She paid the ultimate price for not listening to her inner self.

I encourage you to do so, but if at anytime you want to stop, walk away and all will be well (((hugs))) hope this helps with whatever you decide.

I volunteered for a crisis line for 2 years, and I definitely feel that my own struggles with depression and such were an asset. just be aware that it CAN be triggering.... but if the hotline you're looking into is anywhere near as compassionate as the one I volunteered for was, there will be people around for you to talk to anytime you need to. we were encouraged to call whoever was on call anytime we needed to debrief after an upsetting call, at anytime of the day or night. and during the day there were always people in the offices, we even had a button we could hit to have someone come in and talk to us, we didn't even need to leave the room to hunt someone down lol. they really, really valued the feelings and emotional safety of us volunteers. there were always cookies, too I totally encourage you to do this. it's such a marvelous, fulfilling experience.

Hi there. The same thing was suggested to me long ago. But I learned a few things.
First and most important, listen to that inner voice. It is very easy to deflect our pain and look out for others. Empathy has a place, but if you havent learned yet the value of putting your needs ahead of others at times, it is too soon.
In the Pysch ward one time ( I was an inpatient on and off with an accumulation of one 1 1/2 years ) we were in group session. A girl there that I used to help had been discharged. She attempted suicide and had been re-admitted. That became the topic in the session. She started to cry. So sitting there in a circle, I got up, went to a table and grabbed a box of kleenex. I went over and handed them too her.
The therapist in charge, interrupted the session and turned on me. She said "why did you do that? Dont do that". After some discussion I realized why.
Looking after others while I was still in the hospital for my own issues was really foolish. I should have been looking out for my own needs at that point. And the other girl needed to go and get Kleenex herself. She needed to learn that it was essentially up to her if she was going to live on. Getting her own kleenex would be a step in her reaching for her own future well being.
So. Only you know where you are at, if you are ready for that kind of commitment. But please make sure that you feel ready first. Teens can be very dramatic. And on a help phone, if they say they want to die and then hang up, you have to be able to let go, walk away and wait for an all new caller. That is a lot of pressure.
If I were you, I would Make sure TO TELL them your past. My guess is that you will find others working there have also been to that dark dark place and survived. Please dont ever be ashamed. You did then what you knew how too. You know better now. People of true empathy and dignity will respect you for your strength and survival. They may take it slow and easy with you for the first while. Make sure you know how to cope, keep you supported and it could be a wonderful new thing. Just take your time in deciding Ok? Ask lots of questions.
This place is a fine example of people who have had really dark pasts. Look at me. I tried suicide four times in my life, had four years of intensive therapy and recovered. I later became an Administrator here. Maybe you could think about working towards being a Mod here?
Hint hint...
One

Thanks, guys. I guess I would be pretty good at it since I can use what I've learned in last 6 years in therapy... But should I share my backstory with callers? I'm kinda getting two different opinions here. I guess on one hand I don't want to get too attached, but on the other, if I had talked to someone who was going through what I was, it would have helped start my recovery much sooner. But once they have approval from my therapist (grrrr...), I can go in for an interview! I'm actually really excited about this, but also really sad that I didn't take advantage of it when I needed it...

And onbravegirl, now you've got me wanting to be a moderator. Which means I'll have to spend MORE time on here than I already do. Whoops

the line I volunteered for had a policy of sorts regarding giving information about your own self. chances are this one does too.