Sunny Yet Empty

It's a sunny day. Yet, we feel really empty. Flashbacks to violent scenes and abuse come out of nowhere. You feel like you need to get help in a crisis situation. You try to reach someone, at times you're essentially told, you deal with it. Why?

We don't have the funding to help everyone. Therefore, we can't talk to anyone outside of this area.
You have five minutes to explain your situation.
Your name and number are in a database to protect us from phone harassment. This is a serious crime. If you do this again, we'll report you to the police and you'll be prosecuted.
If you've been raped by someone, find out who it is, deal with it and move on.

All of these are real life examples that have happened to us.

For any mental health people who might be reading this, we're not saying all of you are evil and horrible. Not at all. We're just saying that maybe you should keep a few things in mind.

First, unless they work in the mental health field (or a non-profit), people who call you feel that they have a legitimate need for help. They don't know all of the daily politics that happen as you try to get and maintain funding from the govt. and other donors. They don't know all of the procedures that you use to evaluate, prioritize and then deal with calls.

Having said all that, there's no excuse for any of that. These people didn't ask to be abused, assaulted or God knows what else. Does it really help someone to say you figure it out and move on? How would you feel if you were raped and someone told that to you?

These people aren't calling you for therapy. If you're a therapist talking to people, they're not trying to rip you off for free therapy. They feel they need help. It's very disappointing when you get this reaction of  you don't count. Do you know how many people we have to talk to? Is this person calling again? If that's how you really feel, then maybe you should find another place to volunteer or another line of work?

The next time someone calls you, try to show a little patience and read between the lines. That is why you're there.