Suicide Hot-line Numbers, Why Call and Who You Will Be Talking To

If you are contemplating suicide, wait and call a suicide hotline number:

2 Nationwide numbers are:
1-800-Suicide
1-800-273-Talk
They are Toll-Free and available 24 hours and 7 days a week.

Or Local numbers in New York City:

(212) 673 3000
(212) 532 2400

(Phone numbers attained from http://suicidehotlines.com/newyork.html)

Various People are available to talk to:
Imperfect humans who really want to help you

Many of them are volunteers

They may have different experiences with depression

some may have depressive family members

some may have had a previous family suicide

some may have no personal experience but just want to help

Education and training levels will differ

some may be training to become a doctor or other professional in the field

many or most will have had special training or certification

All of them are there because they really don't want you to commit suicide

(Information from http://suicide.com/suicidecrisiscenter/whattoexpect.html)

Some Reasons to call:

Sometimes it's hard to admit...
that we need other people.

Sometimes depression & suicidal thoughts contain a component of upset & anger towards the world & the people in it.

But the truth is, nothing can really substitute for human contact - we do need people.

The truth is, just talking to someone, explaining, sharing, venting, being listened to, can often give us a temporary reprieve.

Talking to someone can temporarily change your perspective - Human contact changes the brain chemistry & opens that emotion "pod" of pent up emotions for temporary relief - and it may not be what they say, but just the exchange of emotions like empathy, compassion, & concern.

Will they cure us - no.

Will they take the pain away ?

Maybe ease it for a little while.

Even if you know you may be upset or suicidal again soon, just give it a try.

Even though non-depressive humans won't really know exactly how you feel --

Let them try to help the best they can.

Talk to them, let them listen.

Most of them are not even getting paid.

The only reason they are there is for you.

They may not always say the exact right thing, but they are hoping that somehow they can help you make it through a difficult night, to live & fight another day.

It doesn't have to be a
one time only call.

(Information from http://suicide.com/suicidecrisiscenter/whycall.html)