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Abstract
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As in most suicide prevention centers in the United States, the 24-hour telephone emergency service of the Buffalo center in manned by individuals from the community who volunteer for this important and often life-saving function.
In each center this program, which often is the only one the center offers to the community, is a reflection of the community and the philosophy under which it began. Critical in the pragmatic development is the way the center views the interaction that takes place over the telephone. In the Buffalo center we view the interaction as a therapeutic activity and define the primary function of the nightwatcher2 or clinical associate3 to be a telephone therapist.
We do not see them as merely referral agents, information givers, or "just someone to lend an ear." They function primarily as therapists in their service to people with both long-term chronic problems and especially crisis problems. Therefore, they are expected to build a relationship with the caller which enables him to verbalize his problems and needs, express and accept feelings, draw conclusions and formulate goals, and possibly make some movement toward amelioration of his situation. In this role the telephone therapist very often will work toward helping the caller to mobilize his resources such as family, friends, clergyman, employer, or neighbor. He may also find it necessary to refer the caller for specialized or professional help, at such places as Legal Aid Society, Department of Social Services, and a number of counseling agencies including the Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service. However, the number of referrals is relatively small, and 60% of all callers are handled only through telephone contact. We believe that valid and important therapy can and is being done by trained non-professionals via telephone. This is a vital point upon which our service pivots.
The therapists who man the telephones are drawn from a wide variety of people in the community. A good number of them are graduate students in the professional areas, especially psychology, social work and nursing, and a few professional people. In addition, there are undergraduate students with interests in the area of social science, as well as businessmen, salesmen, housewives, and secretaries
Language: en |