Examples of BerksTALKLINE Calls Received

*These are not images of real callers

	A 7 year old male is home alone and there are strange noises outside. He is afraid and no one will be home for at least another 15 minutes. The worker is aware that it is a stormy day. She offers reassurance, suggests checking that doors and windows are locked, and stays on the line with him until an older brother arrives home.
	A 14 year old male calls to say he hates school because everybody is always picking on him. He says he wants to run away, quit school, or just kill himself because it will never get better. The worker checks out the statement about killing himself and finds he made no attempt and has no plan to do so. He says, "I really would not do it anyway. I am just pissed off." The volunteer actively listens to learn more about the problems of the caller. He is guided through a problem solving plan by the caller, and helped to identify resources he feels he could turn to. He is given phone numbers of resources in the community. The worker has the caller make a contract with him not to hurt himself, to call a resource or TALKLINE if he ever has these feelings again.
	A 16 year old female calls in tears because she has just had a fight with her boyfriend. He called off their date for Saturday and said he was going to ask someone else out instead. The worker allows the caller to talk about her feelings until she is no longer crying, states she feels she was responsible for the fight, and wants to apologize, but does not know how. They work together on problem solving, then role play the caller’s planned apology. The worker asks the caller to call back and leave a message to let her know what happened.
	A 35 year old male is a single parent raising three children. His wife left a few months ago. He's feeling overwhelmed with taking care of children…lonely…confused over domestic situation. He was at a community agency for help today. His 8 year old daughter picked up a TALKLINE brochure and gave it to her dad. "Here, Dad, we get these in school all the time for us…this one is for you." The worker listens, allows caller to cry, vent feelings and frustrations. Sometimes our only role is to allow or help someone to cry.
	A 60 year old male calls. His wife died three weeks ago. He has three children who were very helpful through her illness and a very good family. But, his kids have their own lives and now he is really alone. He is crying and despondent. The worker asks the caller to share a little about his wife. The caller reminisces about their 40 years together…sharing stories, good times…and suddenly is laughing, thinking of past experiences. The caller thanks the person for listening. Everyone else sort of avoids the subject of his wife and it felt good to talk about her.