Suicide happens to be the second leading cause of death in young people. This is commonly caused by mental illness, particularly depression. When a person is going through terrible situations and overwhelmed by painful emotions, he or she may see death as the only way out, losing sight of the fact that suicide is an irrevocable solution to a temporary state.
Most people who die by taking one’s own life could have been helped and saved. If you are having suicidal thoughts, confide in a family or friend. They may be able to convince and get you to seek treatment. When the risk is high, they will seek professional guidance for you. If you wish, you may directly call a suicide prevention hotline. Know that in them, help is always available.
Why Should You Call a Suicide Hotline?
If you are considering suicide or may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, do not hesitate to call any suicide hotlines. Counselors work hand in hand to come up with a safety plan that the both of you will agree. They will usually go out of their way to deescalate the situation and help you feel safe without any intervention from, say, the police.
On the contrary, when someone you know is having some suicidal crisis, you may not know how to reach out to them, how to provide support, or simply what to say. In this difficult time, call and ask help from a suicide hotline about a family member or friend. They will guide you on how you might help your suicidal family member or friend. They will try to break the complicated process down in a very simple way that you can do.
Research suggests that by the end of every call, callers feel less emotionally distress and less suicidal. If you are concerned that someone may be suicidal, take the action of calling a suicide prevention hotline in Australia right away. This can be the best way you can do to help.
What Happens When You Call a Lifeline?
Suicide hotlines are well-known for providing free and confidential support for people in distress. They greatly contribute to advancing suicide prevention through raising awareness and empowering individuals. Whether you are thinking about suicide or not, you can call them and get the emotional support you need.
When you first call, you will hear an automated message or greeting that will tell you that you’ve reached their hotline, and they will feature additional options. You will be routed to the crisis center near you as their awareness can be of best help to the people in their own communities. While waiting for your call to be routed to a local crisis center, you will hear a music. The waiting time usually lasts under a minute, but it can take longer depending on the center’s resources.
Then, a trained and skilled crisis worker at your local center will be the person you will end up speaking to. Regardless of the person who answers the phone, may it be a staff member, a volunteer, or a professional, he or she goes through the same training to answer your call. They are trained to be calm, talk comfortably, and use active listening in assessing and determining if a person is in danger.
All individuals and situations are different, which is why no call is the same. It can last as long or as short as you’d prefer. You can talk about as much as you are comfortable with discussing and sharing, may it be mental or physical illness, physical or sexual abuse, substance abuse, financial problems, relationship problems, or anxiety.
The conversation is open as the crisis workers do not follow a script or a template. But along the conversation, they might ask you some questions to help them understand your problems, just so they can come up with the most effective resources to help. Know that their ultimate goal is to help you, your family member, or your friend feel supported and safe.
Which Suicide Hotline Should You Give a Call?
Suicide prevention hotlines’ help is right at your fingertips. You can simply visit their website online or call them over the phone in anytime of the day. Here is a list of some of the suicide prevention hotlines in Australia and some other parts of the world to help prevent suicide:
LIFELINE AUSTRALIA 13 11 14
- 24 hours, 7 days a week.
- www.lifeline.org.au
BEYOND BLUE: 1300 224 636
- 24 hours, 7 days a week. Call, web chat or email.
- Depression, anxiety.
- www.beyondblue.org.au
SUICIDELINE: 1300 651 251
- SuicideLine is a 24-hour, Victoria-wide professional telephone counselling service where qualified counsellors are always available to listen and support you.
SUICIDE CALL BACK SERVICE: 1300 659 467
- If you find telephone counselling helpful, this may be a suitable service for you. Eligible callers can receive up to six 50-minute counselling sessions with a professional counsellor.
HOPE FOR LIFE: 1300 467 354 OR 1300 HOPELINE
- A nationwide telephone support and referral service specifically for people bereaved by suicide.
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: 1 800 273 8255
- The Lifeline is available 24/7 for everyone across the United States and is free and confidential.
Should You Call a Suicide Hotline Now?
No matter what problems you are dealing with right now, whether or not you are thinking of taking you own life, if you need someone to lean on for emotional support, don’t think twice about calling any suicide prevention hotlines. Opening your thoughts and feelings up to someone can actually save your life.
Be aware that, if someone is intent on dying, you may not be able to stop him or her. If you feel that a person is crying out for help or you see warning signs of possible suicidality, do not overlook this matter. If you do not take this seriously, consider the possible consequences of failing to get the person a professional help.
Before you reach any of these points, it is best to seek professional help and support. Do not let people run out of reasons to live. When it’s impossible to go on, give them a reason to hold on.