When I was in my 40's I worked on the Lifeline phones. Lifeline is called by other names in other countries but is mainly a suicide prevention line. We had a 20 week training course on Rogerian counselling , a lot of role play and practical courses on drugs and alcohol,dealing with domestic violence, gambling etc and then we were on the phones. I did a four hour shift a week and mostly enjoyed in.

Most of our calls were made out of boredom or loneliness, some out of need and a few out of anger, depression and suicidal thoughts. These later were the hardest to handle as they were very emotional and often hooked us in to the extent that we felt some of what the caller was feeling. We had a period afterwards to debrief with the person coming on shift and then if that didn't work a supervisor came in to talk to us.

A few people who did the training dropped out shortly after going on the phones I stayed on for eight years and joined the training team. It was a time of great insight for me.

One day I was listening to a caller and had that fatal thought:"But I've heard this all before." so I left. Lifeline needs you to give 100% attention to the caller and if you can't, it's time to go.

Sometimes I recognise that all I have done in the past has helped me with what I am doing in the present. As a caregiver I am often seen as a strong person with a lot of wisdom from my life experiences so people do come personally or by phone, to me with their troubles. I do the best I can to give them time and appropriate comments but I am not a psychiatrist or a counsellor now so I just do what everyone else does in that respect. But when a friend comes to me and says:"I am going through suicidal thoughts I say:"Get help. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, just go and get some help." There are other cleverer , better trained people than me and that is who my suicidal and depressed friends need to go to. If they come back afterwards to tell me all about it that is just fine. I'm a good listener still.