Hey all, I had a question about these weird Suicide Hotlines, this is not a joke but an actual question. Does anyone realize that when you call these numbers and you prove to them that your a harm for yourself, they trace the call, send the police, and send you off to the mental ward of the hospital, then make you pay for it afterwards? The bill isn't cheap at all. The one time I actually did call one of the hotlines, my family got billed around 2 Grand. I notice that none of these hotlines EVER have web chat, and I've seen some that actually say not to call from cell phones. Does anyone else think this is actually some scam?
130256
I don't think it is a scam, I think it has probably saved many lives.
467847
I would call a Suicide Hotline. They exist in most areas. Look in the phone book. One of their counselors could no doubt give you some pointers.\n\nGood luck.
60403
the answer to the joke was " it's a local call."\n\nBut that joke is no longer accurate as it now costs ".50 to make a local call from the payphones.
83077
For the sake of others in this situation:\n\nI called the Emergency Room at Marymount Hospital (Garfield Heights, OH).\n\nI spoke to Reception, and the Charge Nurse.\n\nHospitals (at least in Ohio) cannot treat minors without the authorization and/or consent of a parent or legal guardian, unless it is an immediately life-threatening situation. No Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, adult-siblings, friends of family, etc.\n\nNo matter how much they may want to, they simply cannot.\n\nEven if a Social Worker refers, and takes, the child to any facility or shelter, the facility cannot take the child in, unless her Mother or Father actually accompanies her to the site.\n\nThe Charge Nurse was very sympathetic, but the hands of the medical professionals are tied by the law. Sorry situation.\n\nThe ER Charge Nurse suggested calling the police, have someone admit the police to the home, WHILE THE MOTHER IS PRESENT. The police can force the Mom to seek treatment for a minor, IF they are willing to do so. Judgement call by the responding officers.\n\nThis may be the best bet.\n\nLet's hope this girl does not keep falling through the cracks until she succeeds in her suicide attempts!\n\nI agree with the previous posters who suggested calling the DCFS (Dept of Children and Family Svcs), and a suicide prevention hotline for futher advice.\n\nAs Joker stated, Child Endangerment may be a very good option.
56394
This email hoax describes an incident involving someone named Lauren, who was driving on her way to visit a friend.\n\nApparently, an unmarked police car with a flashing red light on its roof drove behind her, signalling her to pull over.\n\nHeeding her parents' advice, Lauren calmly continued driving and dialled *677 on her mobile phone. A few minutes later, four police cars appeared on the scene and surrounded the unmarked car.\n\nAccording to the story, the driver of that unmarked car was actually a convicted rapist.\n\nIn some states, special numbers immediately connect to that state's highway patrol. This piece of information is not universal, however. Instead of relying on email hoaxes such as this one for important emergency numbers, people are advised to use official and highly publicized hotline numbers, like 911.\n\nThis email hoax is actually a rehashed version of an older one which used #77 instead.
240774
the suicide hotline!!!\n1-800-SUICIDE\ni hev never called it but they can give you thier site
55735
One thing that call centers do is use an auto dialer.  It just puts in a few random numbers and whoever picks up first is connected.  Collection agency's, telemarketers and market research companies all use them.  Yes, it's annoying.  You need to call them and talk to them.  What I had to do with one company was get nasty.  They called me two to three times a day and sometimes I got the same thing you did, silence, and sometimes someone was on the line.  They called and woke me up and they interrupted my son's nap and even bothered us during dinner.  I called them and was like, this is harassment, plain and simple.  I told them not to use an auto dialer to call me.  I made it clear if the calls didn't stop, they would be reported.  They called once a week after that, we did make that agreement.  Just because you owe someone money doesn't mean they get to push you around.  I hope that or something else works for you because I KNOW how you feel.  As long as you are making some sort of payment to them, they shouldn't be able to take legal action...at least that's been my experience.  Even if all you can send them is $5 a month, at least you're trying.  Keep documentation though on what you send and when you send it.
115487
Listen, this is very serious. I'm a counselor, and your friend is in real danger of hurting herself. Take her very seriously. You are too young to handle  this. You need to talk to someone you trust, whether it be your parents or another adult. I'm sorry if I'm scaring you. There are counselors who can help her. There are suicide hot lines.Look in the phonebook. There should be a listing in the front under emergency services. The burden of this needs to be put in the hands of an adult. A part of what makes this serious is the Moms abuse issues. Your friend has probably been exposed to this all her life in some form or another. Who ever you choose to help, hopefully your parents, will talk to you, and guide you. Answer me back when you can. I'll look for your message. Use the heading, I found an adult to help. Good luck honey.
244439
yes, a couple of years ago.I was lying on my bed when i heard strange cracking noises near the door.I immediately got up and run towards the door shouting and swearing.By the time i got near the door, i saw a black sleeve trying to disengage from the semi opened door (still partialy unlocked due to the chain).I heard falling noises and as i opened the door there was a single person wearing a black mask, trying to get up midways down the stairs. He was terrified and ran away.I didnt go after him.I called the police.I testified, they powdered almost the entire entrance and hallway for fingerprints.Almost a year after that i received the report notifying me that they found him.Unfortunately i have no way to confirm it neither to doubt it tho...Note tho that when the attempt took place, i acted instantly, instictively and really intensly.Generally reactions of this consistency are not recommended.I would suggest placing an alarm connected with the pd and activating it manualy (by a secondary power+telephone system near the bed in case the primary automatic system has been deactivated...thats what ive done)
239685
Sounds like there is more to your story. Police don't just do things like that. Mental Hospitals don't just admit someone without some sort of better reasons. The burden of proof is on them. Retain a lawyer or fight dirty too.
466814
not a ringing problem...but my guys phone was owned by an "adult provider" and he got messages for appointments all the time.He ended it by saying "I'm screening julies calls for her as a courtesy to let everyone know there is a chance she has been exposed to HIV,we are still taking appts if you are interested" it was great because we actually got her website from one of her callers-she was scary!
465003
I used to be a debt collector and my man still is, and we have never spoken about wanting to do physical violence to people. We prefer to tear people up with words, and we're damn good at it too. I know I couldn't whip somebody's a*s but I could sure make them feel like the biggest piece of sh*t on the phone if I were allowed to. The thing is, it would blow your mind how much stupidity, rudeness and generally horrible people there are in this country. I've talked to people who can't even handle writing down a phone #. Now look, I don't pay some of my bills, so I'm just as much of a debtor as they are, and it's because I know the laws and I know my state is a debtor's paradise. The difference is I don't talk to my collectors b/c I see no point in wasting their time or ruining their day b/c I don't wanna pay my bill. So many people run up bills knowing they can't pay for them and then get pissed when they get called on it. Duh. What the hell did you think was going to happen? You think the cell phone company owes you something just for being alive? That's how people act. And to top that off, there are a million things you could accidentally (or intentionally say) that would get you personally sued if you said them to the wrong person. The job is really stressful b/c you are on pins and needles trying not to give the business to some douchebag who really deserves it. That's probably why your wife and brother always talk about wanting to whip people's a**es.\n\nI kept a bumper sticker in my cubicle that said:\n\nLosing faith in humanity, one person at a time.\n\nAnd that's exactly how I felt about the job.
405440
It seems that it it was so expensive that they must have saved your life. So, if you did not want it you most likely would have died. Either pay it and be happy that you are alive or kill yourself and don't worry about it as you would have died anyway. OMG>.. this is all you have too bit ch about.............that someone helped you?
501443
If you seriously think this might happen - you need to contact the local authorities.  They won't take this situation lightly.\n\nIf she's possibly going to harm herself or others, they will investigate.\n\nWhere's her family - you should also contact them but don't wait for them to call the police.\n\nYOU need to do this NOW.
610837
tell a trusted adult, get help, call a hot line
249886
It's not a big deal...I mean it's strange he shows up outta nowhere and wants to call the welfare, but if he does and they do come and there's nothing wrong...they're just gonna go away. They will say it was an unfounded call and be done, just like that. If you have nothing to hide and only to prove you're right, don't worry. Perhaps he's talking about calling the welfare because the mother doesn't seem to be taking proper care of the child. They might want to hear from you how many hours your keeping this child and what kind of lifestyle you know her mother has her living in. Don't feel shamed if they do show up...quit worrying about what the neighbors think, like I said, if you're doing nothing wrong, there's nothing to worry about. I have a drug addicted, psycho sister who is currently in jail. When I had my first child and I didn't wanna listen to her crap all the time about drugs and money and so forth she'd call the welfare on me and blow them some wild story...knowing full well when they checked it out they would find nothing. I went through this 4 different times!!!! Each time they would come, they would ask me about what the supposed report was about, check my house out and my daughter and say I'm sorry mam for having to come over like this, I'll document this as an unfounded case. I understand your anger about the situation. I would probably withdraw myself from the mother and child as to not be involved with anymore of their issues. Good luck!
170833
This is from a marketing group.  They called me in regards to magazines that I receive, probably one of the ones I get for free for providing BS information about the spending habits of the company I work for.  Stay on the line for a few seconds after answering, ask them right away what this is in regards to and on behalf of what company are they calling, then immediately tell them you are tired of their harassing phone calls, that you want to be put on their "Do Not Call" list, and you want them to mail you a copy of their "Co Not Call" policy.  When I did this, the girl on the other end immediately got quiet, said 'Ok', and hung up the phone.