Crisis Text LineReviews 74

It feels like you're being rushed as others have said, basically if you're suicidal they'll answer you quickly anything else is awhile. And beyond that it's the same conversation every time and they have went the route of rehearsed and scripted to get through people rather than actually talking to and connecting to people in crisis situations. If you're not actively about to end your life you're sent pre-written scripts until they can get rid of you. I'm sure the volunteers really do care and probably hate how it's set up, but the actual whole system side itself does not care about those at risk.

Last time I was in crisis I tried the Trevor Project chat online and it was AMAZING. They talked to me like a human being and were actually able to help me and I never felt rushed, so it's awesome to know there's a chat option that's actually helpful as calls give me anxiety at the best of times let alone if I'm in a low place. I'm queer so Trevor Project is also good in that area but honestly if you're doing awful and need someone I'd recommend staying clear of Crisis Text Line.

It was very unauthentic and robot like. I received zero help using this "resource", and felt more suicidal after texting them.

They are not trained mental health counselors, do not have a degree in counseling, or hold a legit verifiable license.

I tried the Crisis Text Line one evening I was disappointed with it. It seemed like the crisis counselor was working off a script and it just didn't do anything for me. I felt like I was texting to a robot and not a human being.

I'm really not satisfied with this hotline at all. Every time I have contacted these people, they basically just repeat what I said, but as a question. And no, I can't go take a walk because I want to kill myself, its 2:56 in the morning-

If you are in a crisis, please call the actual Suicide Hotline and speak to a real person. Or go to the ER. This crisis text line is bogus. It will make things worse for you. I have used them twice, thinking I'll try again after the first horrible experience. Nope, both of them made me want to hurt myself even more. The first time, I was "on hold" for over 45 minutes while they "found someone for me". They kept telling me they were busy, but to keep waiting. I didn't keep waiting. I ended the text. The next time, I did get someone. Despite me sharing in detail what I was going through, all I got back were some generic words and a list of distractions I could do, like drink some water, and a list of (not free) apps I could download on my phone. I shared both of these experiences with a therapist, and they were concerned about this text line and they thought they were bots on the other end. Pretty unethical to play around with someone's safety, by assigning bots that advertise to help you in a crisis. Maybe it depends on your geographical location, what kind of responses you might get from this.

This is almost 2 AM and I have been waiting for Crisis Counsellor to come on chat for more than one hour and 14 minutes and every 15 minutes Robo message show up telling i am still in line - take deep breath - etc., if this is supposed to be addressing crisis 75 minutes are definitely not acceptable. I have sent the conversation for review by FACEBOOK and let us see if there is any one who actually reads it. I think this is a scam. After a long wait like this people will get bored or sleep or worse they suffer consequences of crisis IS THIS A JOKE? IF IT IS, IT IS A VERY CRUEL AND NEGLIGENT ONE

They keep records of your texts and will block your phone number randomly. Sometimes they can help you but, normally not.

The treatment of the supervisors on this platform is truly embarrassing. While there are 3 or 4 that were decent the vast majority rushed counselors through conversations. There was rarely a time the supervisors wouldn't speed you through a conversation, even when there were several available counselors to take any new convos. The chat could be 15, 30, 45 mins deep. It didn't matter. Their main goal was to rack up completed conversations. Some of the coaches and supervisors where grossly inappropriate as well. I was disgusted by the tone of their messages and their overall lack of self awareness. While I am sure they think having a masters degree sets them apart, they should be reminded that so do hundreds of their crisis counselors. I just completed my PhD in education and worked as a counselor (LPC) for 7 years. And as someone who has also been trained in the profession, I truly think it needs to be said: You are better than no one. You are supposed to be someone people can reach out to for support and guidance. Instead, you use your role on an online platform to bully others. It is shameful. Please, soften your hearts towards the people who need you. People with true intelligence know how to kindly treat others.

I have had to use it a couple of times due to my anxiety and depression. The volunteers are so kind and patient. One spent over a hour texting me and helping me get through my depression crisis. I highly recommend them. I am even hoping to volunteer for the textline.

I texted after many nights of not sleeping. After a while I realized that it really wasn't going to do a whole lot for me and I just wanted to stop and try to sleep. I said as much but Sean insisted that I was in a crises. He refused to listen to my pleas. I did not indicate that I'd kill myself. I did not indicate that I was suffering a medical emergency other than lack of sleep. I made it clear I wanted to get off the line and go to sleep. That's it. Sean wouldn't let it go. Then the police arrived and left because I was not in need of intervention of any kind. After which, I started talking to someone else on the live because I honestly felt really harassed and nervous about the whole thing. I wanted to lodge a complaint. Idk. I have no way of proving this but I think it's all one person. I don't think there are supervisors to actually help. I think it's just one moron giving themselves multiple names. I didn't sleep. I feel far worse now.

Very supportive and very understanding got the help I needed they were great I would totally use them again

I was super suicidal one night so i decided to text a hotline, they had me on hold for about 40 minutes just for us to talk for about 5. I thought they were there to listen but when i talked to her about it she made it seem like she just wanted to get the conversation over with. The only thing helpful she said was stuff like "you're super brave to speak up about it i know it's hard, i'm proud of you" something along those lines. Then she cut me off asking me if she could give me a link to go to that will help me, like i want to read all of it during that time. Overall i just felt like they were there to do there job and not because they care. At the end she says "anything else you want to talk about" before i could barely finish.

Did not help me at all. All they did was text me automated text messages and didn't relate to my needs at all. Useless.

I wasted time going through their training. It is counter intuitive from what I have learned going to school for Mental Health counseling. The trainers feedback is condescending and unhelpful. Their responses are robotic and repetitive. Please be careful!

I texted the line having suicidal thoughts, hoping to feel better. But their answers are so canned/scripted that it's even more alienating. They'll say, "gosh, dealing with (insert situation here) sounds hard, I'm glad you reached out today," two or three times, then send you a gif of a bubble popping to help you "reduce stress," then end the conversation. It's not helping anyone. I feel bad for people who get a gif of a bubble and a canned response right before they actually take the plunge. I didn't, obviously, but I have plenty of alcohol to help me forget that awful interaction.

As a volunteer crisis counselor, this organization has good intentions but horrible supervision. The supervisors constantly tell you to rush through each conversation... EVEN WHEN THERE ARE NO TEXTERS WAITING IN THE QUEUE! They rather you finish each conversation within 45 mins than to actually take the time and effort with the texter, who is in crisis. Each texter is experiencing different levels of crisis, so rushing a counselor with the conversation sounds very uncaring.

Update: Isabel's response as a supervisor claims they don't rush the volunteers. Lucky for me I kept the email from last year and uploaded the picture to prove her wrong.