“So if it sounds like I’m saying there is little consistency between centers, yes, that is my experience. But the centers all bring strong commitment to preventing suicide.”
Ms. Epstein continued to discuss the power of the work done with hotline callers.
“The really helpful counseling comes from the heart, from connecting to people with caring and respect and patience, and using our skills in helping them stay safer through the crisis and then, when needed, to stay safer in the long run. It takes a lot of bravery from the people letting us help. And it takes a lot of creativity and flexibility in coming up together with realistic plans to support safety.”
I was curious about the patient response, and I found that was mixed. It was also notable that different patients found different forms of communication to be helpful.
A woman who identified herself only as “Virginia Woolf” wrote, “I have contacted the Samaritans on the jo@samaritans.org line because I could write to them via e-mail. I don’t like phones and I also know too many of the counselors on the local crisis line. Each time I was definitely close to suicide. I was in despair and I had the means at hand. I think what stopped me was knowing they would reply. They always did, within a few hours, but waiting for their reply kept me safe.”
Not every response was as positive.
One writer noted, “It was not a productive, supportive, or empathetic person. I felt like she was arrogant, judgmental, and didn’t really care about why I was calling.” The same writer, however, was able to find solace elsewhere. “I have texted CrisisChat and it was an excellent chat and I did feel better.”
Finally, Ms. DeChirico sent me information about the call volume from our local NPSL center in Columbia. From July 1, 2013, to July 31, 2014, the Lifeline received an average of 134 calls per month. December had the highest number of calls, with 163, while August had the lowest with 118. September, February, and April all had 120 calls or fewer.
Robin Williams died on Aug. 11, 2014, and the center received 200 calls in August – a 49% increase over the average volume. Hopefully, we’ll end up seeing a decline in suicide in the months following Mr. Williams’ tragic death.
Dr. Miller is a coauthor of “Shrink Rap: Three Psychiatrists Explain Their Work” (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2011).