A suicide or crisis hotline is a confidential phone number that people in need can call for advice, support, and help. Most nations have crisis hotlines for suicidal people, victims of rape and incest, and victims of domestic violence. Many of these hotlines are staffed by trained volunteers who spend several hours a week helping others through difficult times in their lives. If you are interested in volunteering for a suicide hotline, you need some basic skills, but the most important skill you will need is empathy and the ability and willingness to talk to others about your problems.
No skills are required for suicide hotline volunteers, although a thorough knowledge of at least one language and basic telephone skills are highly recommended. Knowledge of additional languages, especially in areas with a large immigrant population, is extremely helpful. Also, people who have studied basic psychology are often welcome in a suicide hotline, but this is not mandatory for volunteers as the necessary knowledge and skills will be imparted in the training.
To volunteer for a suicide hotline, the first step is to find a local suicide hotline and go to an orientation session. Current volunteers and staff will discuss job requirements and time commitments, and individuals who are interested in joining the Suicide Hotline can complete applications. The app includes basic information about who you are and where you live, along with screening questions. People facing psychological problems are asked to wait to volunteer at a suicide hotline, and many crisis hotlines that receive national funding must also submit all volunteers to a background check. Be prepared to make an hourly commitment,
Once you have been accepted to work on the suicide hotline, you will have to go through training, which varies in length depending on the group you are volunteering for. 60 hours is roughly the average, usually spread out in blocks over several weeks. Your training will include the type of language to use when speaking with callers, how to interact with callers, ethics, the situations you have to report, and role-play activities so that you can practice with your fellow learners.
After the training, you will usually have several shifts under the supervision of another person, who can help you resolve your calls. However, once you are approved to be alone, you are never truly alone; Support is always available, and many suicide hotlines offer support and counseling for their staff and clients to make sure everyone is psychologically healthy. Additionally, you can attend continuing education trainings to keep your skills up-to-date and interact with other volunteers to establish long-term friendly relationships.