Stories from the Helpline
Filed by: Guest Blogger
October 26, 2008 10:00 AM
http://www.bilerico.com/2008/10/stories_from_the_helpline_7.phpEditor's Note: "Stories from the Helpline" is a recurring feature on The Bilerico Project, bringing in the personal accounts of Helpline counselors from The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is a non-profit organization that operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth. This installment comes from Tiffany O'Hara, a volunteer Helpline counselor on The Trevor Helpline. She volunteers at The Randy Stone West Coast Call Center in Los Angeles.
Tiffany O'Hara.jpgWhen you answer the phones at The Trevor helpline, you never know who is going to be on the other end of the line. We get calls from young men, young women, gay, straight, questioning. We have people in their 40s and 50s call us. You also never know what type of call you are answering. Some people call The Trevor helpline because they are exploring their sexuality and they just want to talk some things out. Others call because they are lonely and scared and want to know that there is someone out there that will listen to them. Some people call just to say goodbye before they attempt to take their own life. Having worked on the helpline for some time now, I can honestly say that there is no pattern to the calls or any typical call that we get over and over. The only thing you know when you answer the phone is that there is someone on the other end that needs your help.
