I’ve lost 3 men in my life to suicide, 1 very close and very recently. What resources can I engage with to help. Literally what can I do, outside of generic advice, what’s an action I can proactively take. Are suicide hotlines still a thing? Is being an operator on there possible and what qualifications are there.
I wouldn’t be too afraid that your background or identity would alienate someone. Like you said, your program will provide training, and your willingness to help people is what really matters.
As i understand it, the trevor project is specifically designed to help reach people that our current society is failing to reach, the government is against them, etc. which is motivating for many volunteers.
There is nothing wrong with helping a more general audience thought. Any help is good.
One caution, I have heard personally that friends of friends who have gone this route professionally have gotten jaded and burnt out. I don’t want this for anyone, especially you, given your background. So my advice is, schedule some time off whether you think you’ll need it or not, in advance. And any place you talk to, ask what systems they have in place to detect and prevent empathy fatigue and burn out. I don’t know if i would trust any place that didn’t have a well thought out answer.
I wouldn’t do it professionally. I have a great career I love already. But, I am afforded a ton of time off based on my schedule.