What Happens When You Call A Depression Hotline?

Mental health hotlines allow those in crisis or with questions about mental health to call trained volunteers and mental health workers for support. Depression hotlines are one of many potential points of contact. Although calling a depression hotline can be intimidating to some, the process is simple — and the voice on the other end of the phone can be a valuable resource for support, whether you are in crisis or looking to speak to someone to feel less alone.   

When calling a hotline, it can be valuable to understand what a depression hotline number is, considerations before using the line, and tips to help you get the most out of your call. 

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What is a depression hotline?

A depression hotline is a phone number you can reach to receive support with a depression-related crisis, including but not limited to challenges or symptoms of major depressive disorder, postpartum depression, persistent depression, seasonal depression, or other mood disorders. 

Depression hotline agents can answer mental health questions, offer emotional support, and provide information regarding local mental health resources, potentially including treatment facilities, addiction treatment, or therapy options in one's area. 

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Will the police be contacted after dialing a depression hotline? 

Some people may worry that if they call a helpline or a national hotline, local emergency services will be contacted, or their families will be involved. If someone says they are suicidal or want to harm themselves, the agent may encourage the person to seek emergency medical assistance, depending on the level of risk. However, talking about mental health topics and crises is not a prompt to call emergency services. 

The agent may contact the authorities on behalf of the caller if the caller requests or has given reason for the agent to believe they are actively attempting to harm themselves or someone else. 

Who can call a depression hotline number?

While many people who reach out to depression hotlines are those experiencing depression, anyone with or without a mental health condition can call these numbers. For this reason, those worried about someone they love or experiencing a temporary crisis can also receive support.  

Depression hotline for specific needs and suicide prevention

Because services are often free and discreet, a caller won't be asked whether they have health insurance or not. Those who identify as LGBTQ, people with substance use disorders, and veterans may find depression hotline numbers that are targeted to your specific needs, including the following:  

• Crisis Text Line: Text 988 for support 
• Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-8255 (and press 1) or text 838255
• Trevor Lifeline: Dial (866) 488.7386 or use the online chat
• SAMHSA National Helpline: Dial (800) 662-4357

What happens on a depression hotline? 

Once you dial a depression hotline or enter a chat, text, or email conversation, there are a few steps agents often take. Note that there may be a limited number of agents able to receive calls. Because of this factor, you may be asked to wait on hold or experience a delay before someone interacts with you. In these situations, consider trying not to leave the queue. If you lose your spot, you may be moved to the end of the line if you try to make contact again.

What to expect when reaching out to a suicide crisis lifeline

Once you reach an agent, they may give their name or operator number. They may also ask questions like "Are you safe?" or "Are you having thoughts of harming yourself or others?" These questions allow the agent to quickly assess the situation and decide what level of help you need. If someone is in danger, they may want to know right away.

After initial introductions, the agent may want to know more about your needs. This part of the call is where you can divulge your questions or feelings with them. They may ask you follow-up questions to understand better how to help you or offer support and might point you toward available resources throughout the conversation.

If you are experiencing a crisis, the volunteer may opt to use techniques to attempt to calm you down. They may also ask to contact emergency medical services with your permission. Their general goal is to diffuse the situation and point you toward help in your area. Your safety is their number one priority.

What happens after a call with a depression hotline?

After the call ends, you may be prompted to seek additional support. Depression hotlines are not meant to be long-term talk therapy solutions, nor can operators provide prescriptions, professional medical advice, or medical assistance over the phone. If it feels like the agent is not meeting all your needs, it may be because they lack the resources or training to do so. 

In many cases, these volunteers are people who want to help others. They may not be licensed medical professionals to manage depression. While they are equipped with a few techniques to help in urgent situations, they cannot provide direct care or psychotherapy. However, they can offer a listening ear, suggest crisis centers, and point you toward free resources.

While you can contact depression hotlines as often as needed, you may consider working with a doctor or seeking treatment from a licensed mental health professional to manage your symptoms.

Tips for contacting a suicide crisis helpline

Contacting a suicide or depression helpline can be an overwhelming experience. To get the most out of your encounter with the agency, consider the following tips.

Be honest about your depressive symptoms

Volunteers at depression hotlines take calls and messages throughout the day from individuals who have questions about depression or are in crisis. Although the feelings you are experiencing may be frightening to you, you may find comfort in knowing that these individuals have specific training to manage and support the situation that you're currently in. 

If you are experiencing fear because of your depressive symptoms or are worried about reaching out to the hotline, you may choose to communicate this to the agent. They may be able to help address your concerns.

Ask questions

If you have questions, ask your agent directly. They may not have all the answers, but they might be able to point you toward someone who does. As a reference, some questions depression hotline agents may receive frequently are about feelings, symptoms, available treatments, and how to support family and friends living with depression.

Have a pen on hand

When you call a depression hotline, you may be given names, phone numbers, or addresses of facilities to follow up with. Sometimes, this information is given quickly. You may keep a pen and paper close to record any necessary details. There may not be a way for the phone or chat agent to give this information to you again once the conversation ends.

Remain patient 

While volunteers often have the best intentions and genuinely want to help others, it can be helpful to remember that they are regular people. You may end up talking to someone you feel is not responding to your situation with the level of empathy you need. You may get more out of your call if you work to focus on the resources and advice they are giving you for long-term care. If you want to speak to someone else, ask the agent if you can be transferred to another person. 

Connecting with phone support 

While many people are interested in counseling, the idea of seeing a stranger and talking about vulnerable topics face-to-face may be intimidating. 

Alternatives to face-to-face options, like online therapy, allow clients to talk about depression and other mental health topics from home using phone, video, or chat sessions with a therapist. Platforms like BetterHelp are often more affordable and convenient than in-person therapy. They can be a more personalized alternative to a helpline for long-term support, although they do not replace crisis intervention services.

Improving mental health: Online therapy for depression and suicide prevention

Studies suggest that online therapy can improve your mental health. One such study from Palo Alto University found that video-based cognitive-behavioral therapy effectively treats depression and anxiety disorders, offering comparable effects to in-person therapeutic intervention. According to the researchers, approximately 73% of study participants saw an improvement in symptoms after six weeks and a "decelerated decrease in symptoms over time."