Helplines (for the most part) should offer a safe space for any experience users are going through. It’s okay for users to feel awkward about not knowing how to bring the conversation up, the helpline volunteers are trained to help them!

Users should ensure they are only sharing information that they feel comfortable to share. A rule of thumb is to never share full name, bank details, personal address, or other identifiable information with a helpline.

No. TheMindClan.com does not operate or own any of the helplines listed on the platform. TheMindClan.com is not designed to offer support in crisis situations, which is why the platform has made a list of organizations in this space who do claim to offer this support.

These services operate independently and TheMindClan.com does not own, operate, or take any part in their day to day activities.

The platform does, however, believe that several people have had positive experiences with the helplines mentioned on this page and hopes to only feature those services that are trustworthy and effective.

If these helplines are not able to help users and they’re still in intense distress, users should reach out to a trusted nearby hospital or call trusted emergency services.

TheMindClan.com tries to only list those helplines which have come recommended by the community. While most helplines have supporting press releases and brochures to support their claim of being ‘queer friendly’, as the platform doesn’t have access to their volunteer training resources, it can never be too sure.

Users should not feel forced to open up about their experience of queerness or marginalization with the helplines they call. Users should let them earn their trust.

The platform does call every helpline it lists, to ensure their details are correct. If the community reports a helpline as harmful, unresponsive, or otherwise, TheMindClan.com updates the page accordingly.

Based on TheMindClan.com’s experience calling helplines, the platform understands that each helpline may have its own policy regarding call recording. The platform recommends users check directly with the helpline they are contacting to understand their specific practices.

This will help ensure that users are comfortable with the level of privacy and confidentiality they offer. Additionally, it’s a good idea for users to ask what recording means for them, as it could be for legal compliance or training purposes.

1. Users should call back, and let the responder know what happened. Crisis intervention, especially if suicidality is a factor, is not easy, and not even the experts get it perfect every time. A mental health professional who is also a helpline operator had once shared, “Personally, if I have a call go “south” on me, nothing makes me happier than to know that the person called back and had a better conversation with one of my colleagues.”
2. If users have a complaint about a helpline experience, they should try to report it to the helpline administration by emailing them. Each helpline’s email address or website has been provided on this page.
3. If calling them back does not work out, users should reach out to another helpline listed here. The professionals on the other side do want to help in any way they can.
4. If the helplines don’t work out in general and if users are in crisis, another thing they could consider is visiting the nearest trusted hospital or emergency room where they may connect with a psychiatrist, social worker, counsellor or therapist in person.

If users care for someone who has attempted suicide in the past or is at risk for suicide attempts, they don’t have to feel alone in this. They may not be able to completely fix their problems or take away their pain. But what they can do is access appropriate supportive services for their loved one and for themselves. Here are some steps users could take to help a loved one who is showing suicidal behaviour:

1. If users feel ready and comfortable to, they should have an open conversation with their loved one about their experience. Ask the loved one directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?” “Are you planning to harm yourself?” Being direct is said to not cause a person who is not suicidal to become suicidal. Talking about it may help to reduce the loved one’s suicidal distress by creating a climate of openness and caring.

2. Users should listen to them without judgment or interruptions. They can help their loved one feel calmer and less alone simply by being willing to listen attentively and without bias.

3. Users should tell them directly that they are loved and that they are not a burden. Though it may seem obvious to us, sometimes the depression or hopelessness or helplessness may push the loved one towards believing otherwise. It always helps to remind them that they matter.

4. Users should reach out to a therapist, support group or a helpline service themselves to seek guidance on what they can do next. It is important to connect the loved one to any or all of these services that they may find most helpful.

5. Users should create a safety plan with their loved one. Check pages 7 and 9 of this PDF (External Link) for details on how they can go about doing this.

As a caregiver/ally, users become part of a supportive team – that includes family members, friends, mental health professionals and other service providers – working together to help the loved one stay safe.