In my opinion, hotlines can be a good resource for those struggling, but only if you're comfortable diving into your darkness with a complete stranger on the phone. Not everyone is a phone talker, not everyone is in a safe and quiet place where they can have phone conversations about sensitive manners and not everyone can fully articulate their feelings over the phone. I, for one, am more of a writer than a speaker. I'd rather take the time to write it out in paragraphs than muster up the courage to present myself over the phone. So when I heard about a 24/7 texting hotline, I figured I'd give it a shot. I mean I already send hundreds of texts daily, so it couldn't hurt, right? I was curious to see if this was a reliable tool for those in need to use and, well, I needed a venting session.
I found Crisis Text Line, a non-profit organization providing free crisis intervention via SMS message for those in need, a very simple program to use. You can begin using Crisis Text Line by texting "START" to 741-741. Immediately after I did that, I received an automated message welcoming me to the text line and asking me what was on my mind. After I replied, I received a message that they were matching me with a Crisis Counselor. When I saw this, I immediately rolled my eyes, because I figured I'd be put on hold or I'd get a message that all the counselors we're busy or something along the lines. To my surprise, I was matched with a counselor named Michael.
It was a little awkward to start a conversation like this, but I figured this guy doesn't know me, he never will and he can't see or hear me, so why not pick his brain with my pressing problems. So I dove right in, skeptical at first if he was a robot or not, as his replies were very quick and sounded very rehearsed (I realized later he was probably following a script). But eventually Michael made a few spelling mistakes and sent me a text saying "Sorry apparently I'm crap at typing," and in a way that made me feel a lot better. I definitely knew I was talking to a real person -- better yet, a goodhearted person who volunteered to become a Crisis Counselor with no incentive other than to help people. What really sealed the deal was he was the quickest texter-backer ever and he told me about a few resources. If I took more than five or so minutes to reply, he sent another message to keep the convo going. While that may annoy me if anyone else did it, I liked the fact that he did it because it made me feel like someone was really trying to help.
I ended the conversation with Michael after about 20 minutes because I wasn't really in a crisis at the time, but I liked the feeling knowing that it was so easy to start using this tool and get connected with someone at any time of the day. Before disconnecting, he asked me if I was feeling better before and I liked that he wouldn't end the conversation if I was still in distress. It was comforting.
For 20 minutes, Michael was my friend.
