Reaching Out for Help: What You Need to Know
Making the decision to call a suicide hotline can feel overwhelming. People in this position often wonder: What will happen if I call? Do suicide hotlines call the cops? What exactly will they say or do if I tell someone over the phone I have been thinking about suicide? These concerns can prevent someone from reaching out for the support they desperately need.
Suicide hotlines are here to help! They exist to provide compassionate, confidential support to those in crisis. Calling a free suicide helpline for yourself or on behalf of a loved one can be a life-changing step toward hope and healing. Below, we break down what really happens when you reach out to a crisis hotline.
What to Expect When You Call a Suicide Hotline
If you’re wondering what happens when you call a suicide hotline, know that the primary goal is to provide immediate emotional support and resources. When you dial our Texas crisis hotline, a trained crisis worker will answer and guide you through a conversation designed to help you feel heard, understood, and supported.
You can expect:
- A compassionate, trained counselor who listens without judgement.
- A safe space to talk openly about your feelings, including thoughts of suicide.
- Assistance in creating a personalized plan to help you cope and find hope.
- Information on available resources, including mental health services.
Hotline counselors are trained to de-escalate in a crisis; their sole focus is to help you (the caller) unpack the situation, discuss your feelings, and come up with an actionable plan for resolving the problem or problems. Crisis workers are empathetic individuals who, first and foremost, listen without judgment and can help you explore an issue like suicide without the usual stigma a person might encounter when discussing with other individuals. In fact, we are specifically here to talk about suicide! There is no taboo – it is what we are here to do!
Do Suicide Hotlines Call the Cops?
Some people are very understandably afraid that calling a suicide hotline will lead to a crisis worker sending the police. The goal of a crisis hotline is to have a conversation about the circumstances surrounding a person’s thinking. What are the feelings behind this decision? How are you coping? Are there other options? Are there resources the caller may not know of that could alleviate the pain or suffering and instill hope? We’re here to talk, not call the cops. We aim to provide support, not punishment.
In the vast majority of cases, suicide hotline staff do not call the police. There are rare exceptions, like if a caller has already decided on suicide. The crisis worker does have a duty to act and try to save the person’s life, so they may call 9-1-1 for more immediate help (specifically, for paramedics). In fact, sometimes a caller will ask the crisis worker to call 9-1-1 for them, and they might ask us what to expect when 9-1-1 is called. The answer is yes, a police officer will show up if 9-1-1 is called, but they are not there to arrest anyone or take anyone to jail. The police officer arrives only to make sure the caller is safe and that the home is safe for paramedics to enter and talk with the caller.
The Importance of Suicide Hotlines in Saving Lives
Callers can expect an open, nonjudgmental conversation aimed at formulating a plan to help when they call a suicide or crisis hotline. Understandably, some worry about the police being called and yes, in rare circumstances, 9-1-1 may be called in life-threatening situations, but these are exceedingly rare.
Many people who have called a Texas crisis hotline have later shared their suicide story, revealing how reaching out for help changed their lives. A conversation with a caring, trained professional can provide the support someone needs to find hope again.
If you’re struggling, please know: You are not alone. Help is available. Calling a free suicide helpline can be the first step toward healing.
You Deserve Support
The crisis line is here for you (the caller) to talk with someone who will listen and, perhaps more importantly, someone who wants to listen and wants to help. If you or someone you love is experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out. An empathetic, trained crisis worker is available to help you 24/7. Call (214) 828-1000 now for immediate support.