Colt45

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
19,720
1
0
I suppose you're a good person now huh. ;)

well, just don't tell them DIAF.
 

Siva

Diamond Member
Mar 8, 2001
5,472
0
71
Originally posted by: Tomato
I passed my written exam and oral interview today, and was accepted into the training program at the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center. The training looks particularly vigorous: 9:45am-5pm, every Saturday, for seven Saturdays in a row.

Upon completing the program, volunteers are committed to work for one full year, 4 hours/day, one day a week. Available shifts are offered every day, from: 8:30pm-12:30am, 12:30-4:30am, 4:30-8:30am, and 8:30am-12:30pm (phew!). Since I work from 9-6 M-F, I'll either have to work on a weekend or take an 8:30-12:30am shift.

I was told the phone traffic is quite heavy in the LA area (we also accept calls from around the nation), and to expect 5-6 calls/night, from 20-40 minutes each. It's a big committment, but I think it'll be one that will be a positive and rewarding experience. :)

I'm curious, what made you decide to help out? It sounds like a pretty cool thing to do, but I'd never think to volunteer.
 

cerebusPu

Diamond Member
May 27, 2000
4,008
0
0
sounds like a large commitment. just dont be like...
"today's my anniversary. hurry up and get off teh phone"
 

Yax

Platinum Member
Feb 11, 2003
2,866
0
0
Originally posted by: Siva
Originally posted by: Tomato
I passed my written exam and oral interview today, and was accepted into the training program at the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center. The training looks particularly vigorous: 9:45am-5pm, every Saturday, for seven Saturdays in a row.

Upon completing the program, volunteers are committed to work for one full year, 4 hours/day, one day a week. Available shifts are offered every day, from: 8:30pm-12:30am, 12:30-4:30am, 4:30-8:30am, and 8:30am-12:30pm (phew!). Since I work from 9-6 M-F, I'll either have to work on a weekend or take an 8:30-12:30am shift.

I was told the phone traffic is quite heavy in the LA area (we also accept calls from around the nation), and to expect 5-6 calls/night, from 20-40 minutes each. It's a big committment, but I think it'll be one that will be a positive and rewarding experience. :)

I'm curious, what made you decide to help out? It sounds like a pretty cool thing to do, but I'd never think to volunteer.


Doing it as a way to meet chicks. low self esteem = easy lay. ;)

Edit: very rewarding indeed.
 

imported_Tomato

Diamond Member
Sep 11, 2002
7,608
0
0
Siva, I've been looking for volunteer opportunities in LA for awhile now... I've done some tutoring, taught kids how to read, and Big Brother/Big Sister work, and this particular opportunity kinda struck home because I have known people who have committed suicide. :( I'm also hoping to go back to school within a year for a Psych MA/PhD/MFT/MSW, and would like to eventually work as a therapist/psychologist. :) Basically, I'd like a career where I can help people and make a positive difference in their lives (sounds cheesy, but it's true :p ) and this should be a good way to start before I have a graduate degree!
 

Siva

Diamond Member
Mar 8, 2001
5,472
0
71
Originally posted by: Tomato
Siva, I've been looking for volunteer opportunities in LA for awhile now... I've done some tutoring, taught kids how to read, and Big Brother/Big Sister work, and this particular opportunity kinda struck home because I have known people who have committed suicide. :( I'm also hoping to go back to school within a year for a Psych MA/PhD/MFT/MSW, and would like to eventually work as a therapist/psychologist. :) Basically, I'd like a career where I can help people and make a positive difference in their lives (sounds cheesy, but it's true :p ) and this should be a good way to start before I have a graduate degree!

Very noble and worthwhile. What specific careers are you thinking about in psych?
 

imported_Tomato

Diamond Member
Sep 11, 2002
7,608
0
0
Originally posted by: Siva
Originally posted by: Tomato
Siva, I've been looking for volunteer opportunities in LA for awhile now... I've done some tutoring, taught kids how to read, and Big Brother/Big Sister work, and this particular opportunity kinda struck home because I have known people who have committed suicide. :( I'm also hoping to go back to school within a year for a Psych MA/PhD/MFT/MSW, and would like to eventually work as a therapist/psychologist. :) Basically, I'd like a career where I can help people and make a positive difference in their lives (sounds cheesy, but it's true :p ) and this should be a good way to start before I have a graduate degree!

Very noble and worthwhile. What specific careers are you thinking about in psych?
Thanks Siva... right now, I'm open to everything from working with children to working in correctional facilities, and would like to eventually open up my own practice. I figure I'll have the opportunity to explore different routes/possibilities once in a grad program, and should be able to get a feel for what works best for me at that point. :)
 

Siva

Diamond Member
Mar 8, 2001
5,472
0
71
Originally posted by: Tomato
Originally posted by: Siva
Originally posted by: Tomato
Siva, I've been looking for volunteer opportunities in LA for awhile now... I've done some tutoring, taught kids how to read, and Big Brother/Big Sister work, and this particular opportunity kinda struck home because I have known people who have committed suicide. :( I'm also hoping to go back to school within a year for a Psych MA/PhD/MFT/MSW, and would like to eventually work as a therapist/psychologist. :) Basically, I'd like a career where I can help people and make a positive difference in their lives (sounds cheesy, but it's true :p ) and this should be a good way to start before I have a graduate degree!

Very noble and worthwhile. What specific careers are you thinking about in psych?
Thanks Siva... right now, I'm open to everything from working with children to working in correctional facilities, and would like to eventually open up my own practice. I figure I'll have the opportunity to explore different routes/possibilities once in a grad program, and should be able to get a feel for what works best for me at that point. :)

Cool stuff. Grad work definately allows one to explore all the career options available within a field. Definately keep us updated on how the training and actually work goes. It seems so fascinating and slightly morbid, but certainly valuable to many people who really need help.
 

imported_Tomato

Diamond Member
Sep 11, 2002
7,608
0
0
Originally posted by: Siva
Originally posted by: Tomato
Originally posted by: Siva
Originally posted by: Tomato
Siva, I've been looking for volunteer opportunities in LA for awhile now... I've done some tutoring, taught kids how to read, and Big Brother/Big Sister work, and this particular opportunity kinda struck home because I have known people who have committed suicide. :( I'm also hoping to go back to school within a year for a Psych MA/PhD/MFT/MSW, and would like to eventually work as a therapist/psychologist. :) Basically, I'd like a career where I can help people and make a positive difference in their lives (sounds cheesy, but it's true :p ) and this should be a good way to start before I have a graduate degree!

Very noble and worthwhile. What specific careers are you thinking about in psych?
Thanks Siva... right now, I'm open to everything from working with children to working in correctional facilities, and would like to eventually open up my own practice. I figure I'll have the opportunity to explore different routes/possibilities once in a grad program, and should be able to get a feel for what works best for me at that point. :)

Cool stuff. Grad work definately allows one to explore all the career options available within a field. Definately keep us updated on how the training and actually work goes. It seems so fascinating and slightly morbid, but certainly valuable to many people who really need help.

100% agreed, an I will post updates on how things are going. When I was there being shown around the facility, one of the volunteers had just helped to convince a man to leave his apartment where he had previously been sitting alone with a gun... in that case, the police had to be called and a SWAT team was sent over. There's a big dry erase board in the room where they keep track of people who have called... very interesting to see, the day's calls ranged from a 13-year-old to a 74-year-old, and it was inspiring to see all those people who had been helped. They're going to start a nation-wide "211", kind of like a "911" for emergencies but instead for mental health emergencies. I think it's wonderful, and we will be receiving those calls as well.
 

Platypus

Lifer
Apr 26, 2001
31,046
321
136
Originally posted by: Princefield2040
i dont think someone that really was gonna kill themself would call a hotline

Shhh, don't ruin her thinly veiled attention whore post
 

PowerMac4Ever

Banned
Dec 9, 2000
5,246
0
0
Originally posted by: Tomato
Originally posted by: Siva
Originally posted by: Tomato
Originally posted by: Siva
Originally posted by: Tomato
Siva, I've been looking for volunteer opportunities in LA for awhile now... I've done some tutoring, taught kids how to read, and Big Brother/Big Sister work, and this particular opportunity kinda struck home because I have known people who have committed suicide. :( I'm also hoping to go back to school within a year for a Psych MA/PhD/MFT/MSW, and would like to eventually work as a therapist/psychologist. :) Basically, I'd like a career where I can help people and make a positive difference in their lives (sounds cheesy, but it's true :p ) and this should be a good way to start before I have a graduate degree!

Very noble and worthwhile. What specific careers are you thinking about in psych?
Thanks Siva... right now, I'm open to everything from working with children to working in correctional facilities, and would like to eventually open up my own practice. I figure I'll have the opportunity to explore different routes/possibilities once in a grad program, and should be able to get a feel for what works best for me at that point. :)

Cool stuff. Grad work definately allows one to explore all the career options available within a field. Definately keep us updated on how the training and actually work goes. It seems so fascinating and slightly morbid, but certainly valuable to many people who really need help.

100% agreed, an I will post updates on how things are going. When I was there being shown around the facility, one of the volunteers had just helped to convince a man to leave his apartment where he had previously been sitting alone with a gun... in that case, the police had to be called and a SWAT team was sent over. There's a big dry erase board in the room where they keep track of people who have called... very interesting to see, the day's calls ranged from a 13-year-old to a 74-year-old, and it was inspiring to see all those people who had been helped. They're going to start a nation-wide "211", kind of like a "911" for emergencies but instead for mental health emergencies. I think it's wonderful, and we will be receiving those calls as well.
Uhh you're not even in a part of the program, but you'll go ahead and collect the praise for it. Nice :thumbsup:

I hate it when people talk about doing charity so they can earn some respect from complete strangers. I guess there's no such thing as a selfess act. Atleast do some actual work before you go bragging. Man, even freedomsbeat is one step classier than you (how ridiculous).
:roll:
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
I had the same seven weeks but after the second I told them if I had to come back I was going to cut my wrists, because I was that bored. They told me I was out of the program.
 

shimsham

Lifer
May 9, 2002
10,765
0
0
Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
Originally posted by: Princefield2040
i dont think someone that really was gonna kill themself would call a hotline

Shhh, don't ruin her thinly veiled attention whore post



where were you during the "naked resort" post? or did i just miss it?
 

Platypus

Lifer
Apr 26, 2001
31,046
321
136
Originally posted by: PowerMac4Ever
Originally posted by: Tomato
Originally posted by: Siva
Originally posted by: Tomato
Originally posted by: Siva
Originally posted by: Tomato
Siva, I've been looking for volunteer opportunities in LA for awhile now... I've done some tutoring, taught kids how to read, and Big Brother/Big Sister work, and this particular opportunity kinda struck home because I have known people who have committed suicide. :( I'm also hoping to go back to school within a year for a Psych MA/PhD/MFT/MSW, and would like to eventually work as a therapist/psychologist. :) Basically, I'd like a career where I can help people and make a positive difference in their lives (sounds cheesy, but it's true :p ) and this should be a good way to start before I have a graduate degree!

Very noble and worthwhile. What specific careers are you thinking about in psych?
Thanks Siva... right now, I'm open to everything from working with children to working in correctional facilities, and would like to eventually open up my own practice. I figure I'll have the opportunity to explore different routes/possibilities once in a grad program, and should be able to get a feel for what works best for me at that point. :)

Cool stuff. Grad work definately allows one to explore all the career options available within a field. Definately keep us updated on how the training and actually work goes. It seems so fascinating and slightly morbid, but certainly valuable to many people who really need help.

100% agreed, an I will post updates on how things are going. When I was there being shown around the facility, one of the volunteers had just helped to convince a man to leave his apartment where he had previously been sitting alone with a gun... in that case, the police had to be called and a SWAT team was sent over. There's a big dry erase board in the room where they keep track of people who have called... very interesting to see, the day's calls ranged from a 13-year-old to a 74-year-old, and it was inspiring to see all those people who had been helped. They're going to start a nation-wide "211", kind of like a "911" for emergencies but instead for mental health emergencies. I think it's wonderful, and we will be receiving those calls as well.
Uhh you're not even in a part of the program, but you'll go ahead and collect the praise for it. Nice :thumbsup:

I hate it when people talk about doing charity so they can earn some respect from complete strangers. I guess there's no such thing a selfess act. Atleast do some actual work before you go bragging. Man, even freedomsbeat is one step classier than you (how ridiculous).
:roll:

It's totally true, what the fvck.

A true selfless person just does things for other people, I don't see the need to 'post a question' in an attempt to collect the respect of people who probably fvcking hate you anyway in a thinly veiled attention whoring post. I mean seriously, your first post didn't even address anyone with a question that could possibly be close to remotely justifying the need for this thread.

It's easy too, if anyone speaks poorly of a thread like this they will be deemed a troll, nice little game you got going ;)

Oh, and here's a :cookie: so you can feed a homeless person on the way to work instead of feeding your own disgusting ego.

 

imported_Tomato

Diamond Member
Sep 11, 2002
7,608
0
0
Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
Originally posted by: PowerMac4Ever
Originally posted by: Tomato
Originally posted by: Siva
Originally posted by: Tomato
Originally posted by: Siva
Originally posted by: Tomato
Siva, I've been looking for volunteer opportunities in LA for awhile now... I've done some tutoring, taught kids how to read, and Big Brother/Big Sister work, and this particular opportunity kinda struck home because I have known people who have committed suicide. :( I'm also hoping to go back to school within a year for a Psych MA/PhD/MFT/MSW, and would like to eventually work as a therapist/psychologist. :) Basically, I'd like a career where I can help people and make a positive difference in their lives (sounds cheesy, but it's true :p ) and this should be a good way to start before I have a graduate degree!

Very noble and worthwhile. What specific careers are you thinking about in psych?
Thanks Siva... right now, I'm open to everything from working with children to working in correctional facilities, and would like to eventually open up my own practice. I figure I'll have the opportunity to explore different routes/possibilities once in a grad program, and should be able to get a feel for what works best for me at that point. :)

Cool stuff. Grad work definately allows one to explore all the career options available within a field. Definately keep us updated on how the training and actually work goes. It seems so fascinating and slightly morbid, but certainly valuable to many people who really need help.

100% agreed, an I will post updates on how things are going. When I was there being shown around the facility, one of the volunteers had just helped to convince a man to leave his apartment where he had previously been sitting alone with a gun... in that case, the police had to be called and a SWAT team was sent over. There's a big dry erase board in the room where they keep track of people who have called... very interesting to see, the day's calls ranged from a 13-year-old to a 74-year-old, and it was inspiring to see all those people who had been helped. They're going to start a nation-wide "211", kind of like a "911" for emergencies but instead for mental health emergencies. I think it's wonderful, and we will be receiving those calls as well.
Uhh you're not even in a part of the program, but you'll go ahead and collect the praise for it. Nice :thumbsup:

I hate it when people talk about doing charity so they can earn some respect from complete strangers. I guess there's no such thing a selfess act. Atleast do some actual work before you go bragging. Man, even freedomsbeat is one step classier than you (how ridiculous).
:roll:

It's totally true, what the fvck.

A true selfless person just does things for other people, I don't see the need to 'post a question' in an attempt to collect the respect of people who probably fvcking hate you anyway in a thinly veiled attention whoring post. I mean seriously, your first post didn't even address anyone with a question that could possibly be close to remotely justifying the need for this thread.

It's easy too, if anyone speaks poorly of a thread like this they will be deemed a troll, nice little game you got going ;)

Oh, and here's a :cookie: so you can feed a homeless person on the way to work instead of feeding your own disgusting ego.

Whew, some of you are really cynical. I was just wondering if such rigorous training was experienced by other suicide hotline volunteers... I've been looking into this for awhile, and posted a thread awhile back asking if anyone else had ever done it. Several forum members had, and now I have another question for them.

Someone wants to help, and those of you who probably don't do anything yourselves but try to bring others down jumps down their throat... what a community!

(but don't worry, if you call I'll still try and assist you through your crisis)

EDIT: Never mind, just realized the two posting are CorporateRecration and PowerMac4Ever. *ignoring the trolls* (apologies to the rest of the ATOT community :p these clowns don't count, and seem to have some serious issues as they only post in an attempt to bring others down)
 

imported_Tomato

Diamond Member
Sep 11, 2002
7,608
0
0
Originally posted by: Skoorb
I had the same seven weeks but after the second I told them if I had to come back I was going to cut my wrists, because I was that bored. They told me I was out of the program.

:Q
 

PowerMac4Ever

Banned
Dec 9, 2000
5,246
0
0
Originally posted by: Tomato
Whew, some of you are really cynical. I was just wondering if such rigorous training was experienced by other suicide hotline volunteers... I've been looking into this for awhile, and posted a thread awhile back asking if anyone else had ever done it. Several forum members had, and now I have another question for them.

Someone wants to help, and those of you who probably don't do anything yourselves but try to bring others down jumps down their throat... what a community!

(but don't worry, if you call I'll still try and assist you through your crisis)
In other words you already created one thread about this, but didn't receive enough thanks for the charity work you weren't even doing... so here is Attempt 2.

:thumbsup:
 

Platypus

Lifer
Apr 26, 2001
31,046
321
136
Someone wants to help, and those of you who probably don't do anything yourselves but try to bring others down jumps down their throat... what a community!

(but don't worry, if you call I'll still try and assist you through your crisis)

That's cute, except I'm not going to reply with everything I do for others because firstly I'm not petty enough to do something like that and secondly I don't want to steal your thunder as being the biggest attention whoring waste of forum cycles this website has ever known.

And if I was in a state of mind to kill myself, talking to you would make me paint the walls with my brain.
 

Platypus

Lifer
Apr 26, 2001
31,046
321
136
(apologies to the rest of the ATOT community these clowns don't count, and seem to have some serious issues as they only post in an attempt to bring others down)

And if that's the kind of advice you'd give out to someone you are seriously putting those callers' lives at risk.
 

Colt45

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
19,720
1
0
Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
Someone wants to help, and those of you who probably don't do anything yourselves but try to bring others down jumps down their throat... what a community!

(but don't worry, if you call I'll still try and assist you through your crisis)

That's cute, except I'm not going to reply with everything I do for others because firstly I'm not petty enough to do something like that and secondly I don't want to steal your thunder as being the biggest attention whoring waste of forum cycles this website has ever known.

And if I was in a state of mind to kill myself, talking to you would make me paint the walls with my brain.

:thumbsup: