What To Expect When Calling a Crisis Line
Calling a crisis line can be the best, courageous next step for yourself, for a family member, for a friend. Access support when you feel the need. That’s what crisis call lines are for.
Did you know?
You don’t have to be ‘in crisis’ to call a 24/7 support line. You also do not need to be the one in crisis. Crisis call lines are staffed by trained mental health providers who can help guide you through a variety of thoughts and experiences, including if you are worried about someone else and would like some guidance. Think of them as a professional at the other end of the line who is dedicated to listening to you, helping you find the edges of your pain, and has your best interest in mind.
Making the call:
If you are thinking about suicide, call 988 now. If you can’t speak out loud, you may text 988. Over ⅓ of 988 users access the line via text message. The national average wait time is 3 minutes.
For those in agriculture needing urgent support, call the National Farmer Crisis Line at 1-866-327-6701 (1-866-FARMS01). You can request to speak to a counselor right away.
Kids and teenagers: connect to Kids Help Phone. You can message online, text, or call. (Agricultural crisis lines specialize in 16+, though you may call with parental permission.)
View the full list of provincial crisis lines (including agriculture-specific and other specialty lines) on our crisis contacts page.
CALL 911 if you or anyone you are with is in life-threatening danger or has an injury.
Supportive, trained, ready - and anonymous. In every case (call or text), you will be connected with a person trained to listen and provide help. And if you prefer, you may remain completely anonymous.
When you call:
Automated answer, right away. A crisis line may answer first with a recorded voice: “You have reached…”. It may ask some automated questions (such as choose a language) and often provides additional information such as confidentiality or recording.
“Thank you for calling the crisis line. Can you tell me: are you or someone else at risk of serious harm right now?” This phrase, or something similar, may be one of the first questions that you’re asked. This question is asked of every caller. It is standard Canadian procedure to ensure that the caller is not actively in danger.
Intake process: Crisis lines dedicated to Canadian agriculture will guide you through a short intake process, if it’s your first time calling. They will ask your name, where you live, and what type of support you’re looking for. You can stay anonymous, if you prefer. Some call lines will set up a file that includes more detailed information. You may provide this information, or refuse. You can allow your call to be recorded, or request that it not be. You have choice, agency, and control.
What do you need?:
Once you’re connected to a real person, the conversation will start. Think of this as the ‘needs assessment’ phase.
Immediate or long term support: Most crisis lines have connections to ongoing counseling support options. They will ask what type of support you need. If you need immediate support, you’ll be connected to immediate help — which might be the person you’re talking to right now. If you’re looking for ongoing counseling, you’ll be matched with a counsellor or a group that offers counseling specific to the agriculture community.
Be open to questions and do your best to answer authentically. They will ask questions to assess how you are doing. They may start very broad, such as ‘tell me what’s happening with you today?’ They may ask follow up and gently probing questions, about you, your family, the situation, your support network, and other questions.
They may ask: “At this time, is your safety at risk?” They are trained to ensure your safety and they ask everyone this question. It is also okay to share and be truthful. They are trained to support you in this tough moment, no matter what.
Here to help:
Once you’ve established the path (immediate or ongoing), the professional on the call line will provide the support and interventions that may help you.
Take your time. Allow yourself to process the thoughts and emotions that come up as you’re being supported by the professional call, no matter how long that takes. They will guide the conversation, acknowledge what you are saying, and use their professional support to help you decide what matters most to you, and what to do next.
You are in control. The professional is there to listen and build understanding of what you are experiencing. They do not judge. They do not give advice or tell you what to do. They are there to listen.
You are the most important person. The goal of the conversation is to listen to you, help you feel heard and supported, and help make sure that you are in a better position to move through your crisis. They may suggest some ideas to try:
links to reading material or resources,
a follow up call with someone,
some homework such as behaviour or mood tracking,
ideas to increase social connection,
and/or starting ongoing counseling sessions with a provider that works for you (in person nearby or online).
There are no limits to how many times you call or text. Once your safety is ensured, they will encourage you to call back if you need help. Everyone is different, faces different challenges, and needs different paths forward. It’s not unusual to call in several times to a crisis line, while finding your way forward.
Did you know? AgTalk
If you’d like support but aren’t in immediate crisis, you can join AgTalk, our online anonymous peer to peer support space, designed for the agriculture community. Create a free account, and find different groups, message boards, and spaces to connect with others who understand agriculture. There are mental health clinicians (called Wall Guides) on hand 24/7 as well. They’re supportive, knowledgeable, and always there.
For more resources, visit https://www.domore.ag/crisis-contacts