Peer Support Warm line/crisis center?

Cheze2 wrote:Has anyone here called a peer support warm line? Or gone to a peer run crisis center vs a hospital? If so what was your experience?

I've been going through a difficult time the past few months and have called my local peer warm line (a peer run crisis telephone line) a few times. I must say, I am not impressed with them in my state. I am going to start calling other states to see how theirs are. In my state it's definitely not run after the IPS (intentional peer support) model that it is supposed to. I know this as I am a peer worker in another state. Perhaps I am looking for too much? Maybe since I am a peer worker I know what I'm supposed to be getting so I have a higher standard?

I was pissed when after speaking for literally 3 minutes today I was told that I don't have a mental health diagnosis and shouldn't be calling. I'm glad after speaking to me for 3 minutes on the phone they can assess my mental state and give me a diagnosis free statement. BASED ON THE SOUND OF MY VOICE and the fact that I had a job. SERIOUSLY??!!!??

Sure I consider myself in recovery. That doesn't mean that I don't still struggle and could use support from people who can relate. I'm so angry.

1013 victim wrote:Just talk to us like I said. I have dealt with several special interest groups since I was unlawfully and unjustifiably committed and I am disappointed with everyone of them. I think about joining some anti-psych group but you have to be careful with all of these special interest groups. You call a line to get support you are most likely going to be talking to a scripted person. This becomes there job, just like its a psychologist job to give names to every little thing and blow stuff out of proportion. The person is not as sensitive to you as he or she should be because they deal with many people like you in a days time.

1013 victim wrote:Being mentally ill is a myth

Cheze2 wrote: I was told that I don't have a mental health diagnosis

1013 victim wrote:What are you struggling with in particular?

Devilock wrote: I think there *are* real peer support places out there that would be very good actually

Cheze2 wrote:Thanks everyone.

1013 victim wrote:What are you struggling with in particular?

I just have a lot of life stressors that have happened since March. Everything is a bit overwhelming right now and I've been feeling really low and struggling with some thoughts of harming myself.

Devilock wrote: I think there *are* real peer support places out there that would be very good actually

There are. I know of quite a few. I live near the border of my state, and I work in the state that borders mine. In this other state the peer concept is much stronger and much more supported. There are many wonderful peer support places in that state. I've been checking out the peer support stuff that my state has to offer however and have been highly disappointed thus far. I am going to check out my local peer support agency and see how that is. I haven't been to any in my state yet so this will be an interesting experience.

1013 victim wrote:Why would you harm yourself? Do you need attention? Do you like inflicting physical pain on yourself? Are you ready to die?

Myths and facts about cutting and self-harm
Because cutting and other means of self-harm tend to be taboo subjects, the people around you—and possibly even you—may harbor serious misconceptions about your motivations and state of mind. Don’t let these myths get in the way of getting help or helping someone you care about.
Myth: People who cut and self-injure are trying to get attention.
Fact: The painful truth is that people who self-harm generally do so in secret. They aren’t trying to manipulate others or draw attention to themselves. In fact, shame and fear can make it very difficult to come forward and ask for help.
Myth: People who self-injure are crazy and/or dangerous.
Fact: It is true that many people who self-harm suffer from anxiety, depression, or a previous trauma—just like millions of others in the general population. Self-injury is how they cope. Slapping them with a “crazy” or “dangerous” label isn’t accurate or helpful.
Myth: People who self-injure want to die.
Fact: Self-injurers usually do not want to die. When they self-harm, they are not trying to kill themselves—they are trying to cope with their pain. In fact, self-injury may be a way of helping themselves go on living. However, in the long-term, people who self-injure have a much higher risk of suicide, which is why it’s so important to seek help.
Myth: If the wounds aren’t bad, it’s not that serious.
Fact: The severity of a person’s wounds has very little to do with how much he or she may be suffering. Don’t assume that because the wounds or injuries are minor, there’s nothing to worry about.