OC15 - Crisis Helplines

Anonimous Help: What Do We Know Then?
August, 30 | 12:00 - 13:00

In many societies across the world, suicide is stigmatized and considered a taboo subject. In the Netherlands too, suicide is considered a taboo for many people, making it harder for them to receive appropriate help. In The Netherlands we have a national suicide prevention helpline where anyone, any age can contact us free of charge by phone or chat. This is available 24/7. People contacting the helpline remain completely anonymous to the counsellor. For that reason, only in very exceptional situations, will we contact police or crisis intervention teams to reach out to a help seeker; even if they ask for it to begin with. The purpose is to maintain and enhance the autonomy of the help seeker and preventing them form becoming dependent on the helpline. But this choice for anonymity and autonomy brings about many dilemma’s regarding, responsibility, capacity and safety. The aim of this oral is to explain the Dutch Model and address some of the main and pressing dillema’s that come with this model.

Speakers