Crisis text line is a non-profit organization devoted to the idea of providing someone to talk to when you really need one. Typically as a crisis counselor you will log on and join the “queue” of people waiting to talk to someone who needs it. When people feel overwhelmed (In crisis) they’ll text in, those texts are sent directly to the web browser of the person next in line, and pop up as a chat box.
Pros:
Immediate ability to help someone in need: delay times of as little as 10 minutes, including the time it takes you to get out your computer.
Can be done from your house, directly from your computer.
Very emotionally satisfying: There’s not many places you can actively talk someone out of a panic attack, off the ledge, or just chat with someone who needs it.
Awesome swag: Used in this instance to mean related clothing, coffee mugs, etc. My favorite hoodie is my 200 hour hoodie from CTL!
Good training: certification as a crisis counselor is surprisingly good training for an online course. I’ve considered recommending it to EAs in general for this reason. (Also empathy building)
Hours track directly: so reporting any volunteer service is very easy with this (good for resumes and similar things.)
Good support network and chat on the platform.
Cons:
Very emotionally demanding/frustrating: often times you’ll be upset about how others handle their problems. I put this first because I struggle with this most of all, I want to just shake people and tell them how to get their life together. But as the CC that’s not your role (you’ll learn more about this in training.)
Requires “decent” internet connection.
“30 hour” course at the beginning: took me between 6 and 10 hours to complete, so it’s not that bad.
Background check (not crazy rigorous, but it is a text line)
Not super effective, at most you can achieve a 3-1 time ratio (if you’re really good)
Emotionally draining, I list this again for a different reason. Sometimes talking to someone else about their problems can be overwhelming. Suicide, anxiety, depression, and abuse are common problems that you will confront directly. Don’t drown trying to save anyone. I’ve been there, and you’re too important for that. Trust me, seriously, you’re too important for that.
Become a crisis counselor.
Crisis text line is a non-profit organization devoted to the idea of providing someone to talk to when you really need one. Typically as a crisis counselor you will log on and join the “queue” of people waiting to talk to someone who needs it. When people feel overwhelmed (In crisis) they’ll text in, those texts are sent directly to the web browser of the person next in line, and pop up as a chat box.
Pros:
Immediate ability to help someone in need: delay times of as little as 10 minutes, including the time it takes you to get out your computer.
Can be done from your house, directly from your computer.
Very emotionally satisfying: There’s not many places you can actively talk someone out of a panic attack, off the ledge, or just chat with someone who needs it.
Awesome swag: Used in this instance to mean related clothing, coffee mugs, etc. My favorite hoodie is my 200 hour hoodie from CTL!
Good training: certification as a crisis counselor is surprisingly good training for an online course. I’ve considered recommending it to EAs in general for this reason. (Also empathy building)
Hours track directly: so reporting any volunteer service is very easy with this (good for resumes and similar things.)
Good support network and chat on the platform.
Cons:
Very emotionally demanding/frustrating: often times you’ll be upset about how others handle their problems. I put this first because I struggle with this most of all, I want to just shake people and tell them how to get their life together. But as the CC that’s not your role (you’ll learn more about this in training.)
Requires “decent” internet connection.
“30 hour” course at the beginning: took me between 6 and 10 hours to complete, so it’s not that bad.
Background check (not crazy rigorous, but it is a text line)
Not super effective, at most you can achieve a 3-1 time ratio (if you’re really good)
Emotionally draining, I list this again for a different reason. Sometimes talking to someone else about their problems can be overwhelming. Suicide, anxiety, depression, and abuse are common problems that you will confront directly. Don’t drown trying to save anyone. I’ve been there, and you’re too important for that. Trust me, seriously, you’re too important for that.