I agree with you. Sincere interest in a persons situation can't be replaced by an anonymous phone call. It is hard though, I think the reflex to "implore people

I agree with you. Sincere interest in a persons situation can't be replaced by an anonymous phone call. It is hard though, I think the reflex to "implore people to get help" doesn't come from a place of "not my problem" but rather "I'm not a professional I don't know what you should do, but I suspect here's someone who might." Like you, I was fairly open, well before and after, about thoughts of and attempts at suicide. I was very fortunate. I had a great network of people in my life who were always there for me in every capacity. But even though they were there for me, they simply couldn't really relate. It wasn't until nearly eight or nine years later that they found themselves similarly ensnared. There was an "Aha" moment where they (unfortunately) connected the dots. I was stuck for as long as I could remember (think elementary school) and just three years free from it I have trouble relating to the feeling anymore. To anyone out there trying to help somebody: don't be afraid of being unable to understand or relate. If you can, just be there. Trying to relate or caring to be present is 80% of the game. A hotline can't replace that. Fun story: The one time I called a hotline, I was in a particularly acute spiral. I don't know know if this was on purpose but the sheer awkwardness of that conversation probably saved my life. Hearing myself try to explain my the situation and it just coming out of my mouth like bad, angsty, incoherent teenage poetry. On the other end of the line was a person who genuinely sounded like they wanted to help but couldn't make sense of why I was so worked up but tried so hard to understand. I think I hung up mumbling "You know what, never mind." and hung up cringing.