Being Of Service Through Suicide Hotlines

By Donald Turner


It is important to consider volunteering in a service that helps people and fosters well being as its primary aim. Crisis intervention is often a field where this comes into play. For reasons of unique to an individual, people face areas of distress in their lives. The problematic issues may be so strong it compels one to end his life. If you feel resilient enough to be of help in these areas, perhaps you should volunteer.

The first thing to ask is if there are specific populations you are curious about. Suicide hotlines are one of many specializations in this discipline. The reasons for personal turmoil vary, they might constitute rape victims, the homeless, the ostracized, sexually abused and victims of racial discrimination. You can also come at it with pure academic interest initially. Wanting to learn more about a group, make the activity a venue to augment your knowledge.

You would not immediately be tasked with handling sensitive calls. The first thing to look forward to is a training period. These are standard and process oriented modules because the quality of an institution is often a measure of its ability to receive proper funding. As you learn, you will slowly discover what it takes to address those with discomfort. Basic abilities such as rapport, active listening and evaluating clients are tackled as well as ethical issues.

You could expect role plays and pretend calls. You and a partner would take turns changing roles but the purpose of this is to train you to react and speak efficiently to the various personalities. There are times when difficult situations are played out. Your trainers stage these difficult situations for you to successfully navigate. These are confidence boosters before doing it for real.

Basic phone etiquette is also included in lectures. Essential topics such as honoring confidences, empathy and respectful conversation styles will be covered. With growing hands on experience, you can rely on your own responses.

As you immerse yourself in this field, you will learn the value of self care. These days, almost everyone is on the go. Some private sector workers hardly think about time for themselves. Being in a live telecommunications post may take a toll on you. Make time to recharge. Go on vacation, eat out with friends or do things at home that make you feel cozy. When dealing with multiple issues, you could get fatigued so be sure to replenish your energy.

Self awareness is another benefit you can reap as a volunteer. When becoming involved in psychological exercises, you often discover aspects in your personality that you have yet to reveal. You potentially discover your emotional strength and hardiness.

When shifts are flexible, you should take advantage of them. Align your schedule with slots that do not conflict with the rest of the day. If a certain portion in a twenty four hour period suits you best, go for that.

Making a difference is the ultimate result when you give affection and care to another. Social responsibility goes hand in hand with personal achievement. Because of excellent service, you may even be granted with certain job recommendations in related fields. These are just some of the perks in volunteering.




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