We are breaking 4 myths about free psychological help phones.
If a person needs emergency psychological help, then he can call the toll-free number or go to the chat on a special website. However, not all people who find themselves alone decide even to such treatment, because they are afraid that here they will be ridiculed or harmed even more. I think it's time to dispel all the myths.
Myth number 1. "This is not serious, there are no professionals there"
People who provide psychological help over the phone are called helpline counselors. To work in this specialty, a person must complete the appropriate courses or receive education in this particular training profile. The trust service does not even hire simply psychologists, let alone “amateurs”. So everything is more than serious.
Myth number 2. "They won't help me", "They will make it worse"
Anonymity and voluntary participation of the client are the main principles of psychological counseling. The specialist has no right to neglect them. In addition, counseling psychologists are guided in their work by the following principles:
- A friendly and non-judgmental attitude. The counseling psychologist is listening-oriented. He has no right to criticize your words or actions, to express a personal attitude. All his principles, beliefs, values and views remain outside your contact.
- Taking into account the norms and values of the client. The consultant should forget about his system of values and try to see the world through the eyes of the client. The specialist is focused on you and your problem. Calling support is like talking to a friend, but better: no one interrupts, criticizes, or pulls the blanket over himself. And due to the lack of eye contact or even direct contact (if you asked for help in the chat) and the lack of a close relationship with the consultant, it is easier for the client to open up.
- No advice. If you call for a psychologist to tell you what to do, what to do and what decision to make, then you really won't be helped. There will be no direct instructions, but a specialist will help you understand the situation and independently make the best decision for you.
When I finally decided to contact a psychologist:
Myth number 3. "My problem is not serious enough to call the helpdesk"
If something bothers you, then it is important and serious. You can contact the help desk for any question. The consultant will never hang up first, will not refuse to listen to you and will not send you. If you don’t know how to start a conversation, you can call and say: “I need help, but I don’t know how to formulate my thoughts / I am afraid to speak, etc.”. Then the consultant will tell you.
Myth number 4. "This is a divorce, there is no free help"
All free psychological assistance services in Russia are subject to the RATEPP (Russian Association for Telephone Emergency Psychological Assistance). And the association itself is a member of the International Federation of Emergency Telephone Services and a member of the International Association for the Prevention of Suicide.
Within the framework of RATEPP, there are 286 hotlines in Russia. On the official website of RATEPP, you can find a help service in your city, report fraudsters (those who pretend to be psychological help and divorce people) or enter information about the helpline.
Emergency psychological services at RATEP:
