do suicide hot lines track your call?

[mags_7531]

Hi, im just wondering if suicide hotlines track your call and will know where you are and send the police?

[sarey]

I don't think so, they are confidential.

[Amasa]

I don't think so. I think they are all about confidentuality.

[sarey]

Actually, from research(just now), Unless you tell them you've taken a bunch of pills or have a gun or something, they may trace you, I don't actually know, but all in all, they're just there to talk to and help you get through urges like that.

[unabashed]

They aren't usually well-funded programs, so they don't have a lot of money for staff and equipment. So, unless they have caller ID and you don't block the call, it is likely that they would have no way to track you. If you are calling for help, though, I hope you'd give your location if you are in any danger of hurting yourself.

[davef]

I think they can call the police and have an ambulance sent to you house. That is the downside to calling them because even if you are not suicidal and you just need someone to talk to, you will probably end up in the mental ward. There are no "free" friends in this world.

[mags_7531]

ya thats what i figured.....

[sarey]

I'm not sure what experience you've had davef, but suicide hotlines rarely do call the police on you unless you disclose your exact location or actually threaten to kill yourself and say you have a weapon to harm yourself with.

 

The Samaritans are awesome to call when in need, as are Child Line. There are loads of hotlines to call when you are feeling low, look them up & choose which you feel are best to call.

[unabashed]

I think they can call the police and have an ambulance sent to you house. That is the downside to calling them because even if you are not suicidal and you just need someone to talk to, you will probably end up in the mental ward. There are no "free" friends in this world.

 

 

This just isn't true. It's harder to get admitted for psychiatric care than you think...there aren't ambulances waiting on call for people who just need someone to talk to.

 

Never hesitate to call a hotline to ask for help.

 

 

Forsakenlove--thank you for that info about 800 numbers. I guess if you're calling from a cell phone, there would still be no way to track you (unless you were on CSI).

[sarey]

True, it is very hard to get admitted into a psychiatric ward, there is a long, long list. I was actually admitted to a psych ward under Section 2 of the mental health act - immediate section BTW, not pretty, & you're there for 28 days. I went straight away. But, calling these hotlines, At best, you'll be spoken to by the police and maybe see a psych. And that's IF they trace you. It depends on information you tell them.

[avman]

I think they can call the police and have an ambulance sent to you house. That is the downside to calling them because even if you are not suicidal and you just need someone to talk to, you will probably end up in the mental ward. There are no "free" friends in this world.

 

That is not true. Why in the world would you think someone non suicidal who calls would get sent to a mental ward. It doesn't work that way.

 

The suicide hotlines are there for you to talk live to someone about what is bothering you. Now if you are in a really bad spot they might encourage YOU to contact an ambulance and get some critical help. But that doesn't mean you get locked in a mental ward. They don't do that sort of thing anymore. It means you go to a critical care center for a short stay for evaluation. They don't just keep people locked away.

 

Almost all of them are confidential. They don't track you because they know people are afraid of something like that. They are there to help.

[davef]

I meant the mental ward of your local hospital, I didn't mean a long-term facility.

[Mythical_Suicide]

I meant the mental ward of your local hospital, I didn't mean a long-term facility.

 

 

It still isn't that easy..

 

 

I slit my wrists once in an attempt to kill myself and even then I was sent home because they didn't feel I was in immediate danger of harming myself again. So they don't just throw you in a mental ward against your will unless they have reason to believe you are a danger to yourself or others.

[15 Storeys High]

It's actually really hard to get someone sectioned and sent to a psychiatric ward. Especially so if the person is in their own home and orientated to their surroundings and the situation. As for hotlines.....it's unlikely they will be able to trace your number themselves but they can get in touch with the police who can do it for them.

 

At the emergency department a person will only be sectioned if two doctors believe that the patient will definitely try to kill themselves after being discharged from hospital.

[sarey]

^^ I have overdosed more than 20 odd times, I've been in the E.R more than I can count, I've only been admitted once to a psych ward and that was after my 4th overdose. I've taken even more lethal ones since then, and I've not been admitted.

 

(not intended at you 15 storeys btw)

[K12]

I think so, I usually call from a private listing and it is always directed to my home area where I use to live, and I live in another state(I realize this when I talk to the person)

 

 

And I called a suicide hotline last week and the guy was like "whats the problem" and I said I was suicidal and he said "ok let me call the cops right now"

 

I think he was bluffing and probably realized I wasnt suicidal, he just probably wanted me off the phone or whatever

 

Truthfully I think suicidal hotlines are silly, like if someone wants to kill themselves they will kill themlsevles, that guy realized I wasnt going to kill myself and he basically wanted me off the phone ASAP, and that was his way, after about 30 seconds of him telling me he was going to call the cops I agreed I wasnt going to kill myself and he was like "ok bye"

 

Good method I suppose

 

We really are alone in this world

[Honey Pumpkin]

The Samaritans don't track calls, or send out anything without being specifically asked - it's part of their policy, which is why it's very emotionally draining working for them, because you cannot 'solve' other people's problems like that, it's against their remit. They are there to listen in times of crisis, and suggest you call an ambulance, but they will not do it for you.

[hitdog]

Yes! they do. I know from person experience.

[hitdog]

^^ I have overdosed more than 20 odd times, I've been in the E.R more than I can count, I've only been admitted once to a psych ward and that was after my 4th overdose. I've taken even more lethal ones since then, and I've not been admitted.

 

(not intended at you 15 storeys btw)

 

I think it's different in the UK than in the US because both times I failed, I was admitted. 3 months when I was 15 and 4 days recently.

[Mythical_Suicide]

Yes! they do. I know from person experience.

 

I think it's different in the UK than in the US because both times I failed, I was admitted. 3 months when I was 15 and 4 days recently.

 

 

 

Not always the case.

 

I have never been admitted against my will (While I was alert..) and I have attempted quite a few times and was only admitted once and that was because I was completely out of it and was considered a "danger". Even then once I came to off the meds I signed myself out and went home.