Crisis hotline
A crisis hotline is a phone number people can call to get immediate emergency telephone counseling, usually by trained volunteers. The first such service was founded in England in 1951 and such hotlines have existed in most major cities of the English speaking world at least since the mid-1970s. Initially set up to help those contemplating suicide, many have expanded their mandate to deal more generally with emotional crises. Similar hotlines operate to help people in other circumstances, including rape, bullying, self-harm, runaway children, human trafficking, and people who identify as LGBT or intersex. Despite crisis hotlines being common, their effectiveness in reducing suicides is not clear.[1][2]
Effectiveness[edit]
Even though crisis hotlines are common, they have not been well studied for efficacy.[1][2] One study found that people's thoughts of suicide decreased during a call to a crisis line, and were lessened for several weeks after their call.[3] Some callers frequently call crisis helplines, which can take up time from those with more immediate crises.[4]
The Volunteer Emotional Support Helplines (VESH) represents 1200 member centres in 61 countries. It has been formed by:
