Feeling depressed? Suicidal? Get in here, NOW.

[Teln]

http://agentcoulsonsupernanny.tumblr.com

Okay. Okay.

Whenever we reblog those lists of hotlines for people to call in an emotional crisis, part of me always thinks, “you know what? Talking on the phone blows.”

And I’ve spoken to people mid-crisis who ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to call a number, because you know what? Talking on the phone blows. IM is alright, typing things out to a faceless screen, it’s so much easier than using your voice most of the time. If only there was some sort of chat-based hotline-

There is? It’s here?!

HUZZAH!

IMAlive is an IM-based support center, run entirely by well-trained volunteers who seriously do give a ****. It’s free, it’s confidential, and it WORKS.

If you’re hurting right now, PLEASE CLICK THE LINK.

If you’re feeling alright, but give half a damn about the people around you, SIGNAL BOOST THE **** OUT OF THIS.

I want everyone to know this exists. This is an option. You don’t have to be afraid.

Come and talk.

Reblogging this from Tumblr in order to raise awareness. I figure if 1,000 people consider this thread spam and only 1 person in a crisis sees the thread and checks out IMAlive, it's worth it.

[Castaras]

That's brilliant. I know I hate talking over the phone, and I'm sure there's others like me. Luckily I'm not that depressed, but I hope it'll work.

[arguskos]

I am such a fan of this sort of service that I actually am currently waiting to talk to a volunteer (there's a bit of a wait, their numbers are of course limited) just to tell them how valuable this service is and what wonderful folks they are for doing it.

I know that, on occasion in the past, I could have used this sort of service. It's really great to see folks going out of their way to do this.

IMAlive? Good on you! Keep up the great work!

[Haruki-kun]

Wow, this is really amazing. It's also good for people who find communicating online by text a lot easier than by speech. Not to mention non-native speakers who find phone calls harder than regular speech. (I'm terrible over the phone.)

[Maryring]

Eh, if you're worried about appearing as "spammy", you may consider changing your pitch. Honestly, this thing feels very dubious. The presentation reads similar to those "You are a winner" banners that seek to scam you hard, and the following posts read like they were written by employees trying to promote their own work.

If you want to reach out to a target audience, presentation is important. Doubly so when your target audience is those who have trouble fitting into society. Presenting yourself as "free and confidential" does not evoke trust. A helpline must be free and confidential in order for it to work. It is implicitly understood, and drawing attention to it suggests that there must be some other hidden catch somewhere.

Remember, you are not your target audience. Your target audience has trust issues, got burned on others one too many times, or feels misplaced in this swift, commercial world.

[Melayl]

I'm all for there being as many avenues for help as possible. If typing and talking options get more people to seek help when they need it, Wonderful!

Thanks for posting this info.

For those who prefer to talk, see my sig.

[Adlan]

Originally Posted by arguskos

I am such a fan of this sort of service that I actually am currently waiting to talk to a volunteer (there's a bit of a wait, their numbers are of course limited) just to tell them how valuable this service is and what wonderful folks they are for doing it.

I wouldn't advise doing that, any more than I'd recommend ringing 999 to thank the emergency services. As you point out, their numbers are limited.

If you want to support them, maybe a letter? or an e-mail? Or raise some funds for them (All Volunteer organisations still need funds for lots of essential things).

This is a good part of internet outreach, good thread, good organisation.

[enderlord99]

Originally Posted by Adlan

I wouldn't advise doing that, any more than I'd recommend ringing 999 to thank the emergency services. As you point out, their numbers are limited.

If you want to support them, maybe a letter? or an e-mail? Or raise some funds for them (All Volunteer organisations still need funds for lots of essential things).

This is a good part of internet outreach, good thread, good organisation.

I think your example was 088 too high.

[The Succubus]

We English sorts use 999 for our emergency services, unlike the American 911. That said, I think 911 can be used in the UK as well as an alternative number but I wouldn't stake anyone's life on that fact. >.>

[Mr.Silver]

Originally Posted by The Succubus

We English sorts use 999 for our emergency services, unlike the American 911. That said, I think 911 can be used in the UK as well as an alternative number but I wouldn't stake anyone's life on that fact. >.>

It can't. 112 (the EU emergency service number) does work in the UK though.

[INoKnowNames]

I was tempted to use it earlier, but was honestly a bit turned off by it... it just seemed a bit... odd. Was't exactly sure at a first glance where to go to begin anything....

Still, hope it helps someone.