Just breathe they will give you plenty of time to talk!

With technology the way it is today, I imagine any call can be traced but please don't let that possibility deter you.
Since you are at the end of your rope, please re-consider going inpatient..
that often times will make all the difference in the world.
I think the hotline staff would also suggest that after talking with you but then again, they may not, just depends on what your situation is.

Keep reaching out, no matter what, there really are people that "get it"!!

They do track your number and they will send the cops to your place if you indicate in any way that you are seriously in danger of hurting yourself or others. The cops will decide if you need further evaluation and if they deem that you are indeed a threat to yourself then you will be transported to the hospital either in an ambulance or in handcuffs. The hospital will call a crisis team who after asking you a few questions will then make a report with the on call psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will make the final determination as to whether or not you end up under mando psych evaluation in an inpatient facility for 72 hours or whatever it is in your state.

Rarely is anyone taken in handcuffs to a hospital in this kind of situation,
IF the police are called, they are supposed to make an evaluation of the situation but if the person is violent, then handcuffs would be needed.

The hope is that whatever law enforcement is sent will have some sort of training in order to give an accurate evaluation and not just some random opinion.

The general rule of thumb, even if one has themself admitted is 72 hrs,. longer, if the dr.s feel the person is still an immediate threat to themselves or others.

I hope you won't let fear stop you from calling someone or going on ahead and getting yourself admitted...72 hrs. might just be enough of a "time out" for you to re-consider things and get quality treatment.

They can't send the men in the white coats unless you ask them to. They are just there to listen and try to help you in the best way that they can. There is no time limit on how long you need to talk. If the suicide hotline doesn't help you, then please take the next step for help. Please let us know how you are doing.

Thank you everyone. I am doing okay. Thank you for the reassurances, maxheadroom & gramybear. I am very aware of my thoughts and feelings, so I was able to process out what had triggered me and what I needed to do to reframe the situation. Just sometimes get really tired of myself and when that happens, I get so frustrated with myself that I'm not coping with my triggers in a more healthy way.

When in doubt, I go to bed. I notice I tend to get depressed late at night. Need to go to bed earlier anyway. It saves me the unnecessary aggravation of myself ;)

I appreciate your feedback. So if I feel that I've reached "the bottom of the barrel" and can't find another barrel at the moment, then I will call (from a different phone number, LOL) and see what goes on at one of these hotlines. Is there a support line that you recommend?

I cannot afford therapy nor hospitalization. Nor the years of debt that a 72 hour hold may set me back. It is my dire financial situation that has me so depressed (unemployed, food stamps). Why would I go inpatient only to wind up crying over the bill to the Drs? LOL.

Thanks again for the feedback and advice. Although, Zenmaster01, you freaked me out a little bit ;)

((hugs))