In the life of ... A suicide prevention volunteer

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Jason was freaked out to take his first suicide call.

During the intense 11-week, 60-hour training course that is required to become a volunteer at the Headquarters Counseling Center, 211 East Eighth Street, Jason says he convinced himself it was going to be the worst thing in the world to talk to somebody who has reached that point. Jason, who asked his last name remain anonymous, says he didn’t have a lot of confidence that he could help.

Photo by Katherine Mulder

One beat at a time: Jason works as a suicide prevention volunteer and fields calls from people who need to talk.

When he actually took his first call, he says all it took was hearing the voice of desperation to make him truly believe that what he and the rest of the 40 volunteers do really helps. He says it comes down to human interaction—just knowing that someone is there and that someone cares.

“We both made it through the call,” Jason says. “I’ve learned personally what it takes to engage in a crisis situation and come out the other side.”

Jason says though a lot of the calls are about suicide, other calls come from people who are in a bad place in their lives, and they use headquarters as a touching stone for reassurance.

Even though he has been taking calls for a year, Jason says there is still trepidation because everyone’s pain is unique.

“It is a little less of a heart attack when the phone rings,” Jason says. “But you never know what is going to be on the other end of the line.”

As Jason reflects on his experiences, he hopes that this doesn’t diminish the struggles of the people who call. He says the reason he completes his four-hour shifts twice a week is because he wants people to know that someone is there for another person.

“I’m not here to develop as a person,” Jason says. “It is nice, I am thankful for the opportunity, but that is not why I am here. I’m here for people who call.”

Jason is a KU senior studying sociology. He says this experience really personalizes what he learns in class. Jason did not learn about Headquarters from class but from his wife, who read an article in the newspaper. He and his wife both decided to volunteer. He says all volunteers rely on each other for support and so having his wife to share the experience with him has been amazing.

“Being a part of Headquarters, Headquarters has become a big part of me,” says Jason.

The number for the Headquarters Counseling Center of Douglas County is 785.841.2345.

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