I worked a suicide and OD hotline in my late teens. The connection is real. Unlike face conversations, the caller doesn't have to deal with well-meaning friends and family whose urgency and ignorance make it much worse. That kind of real listening reminds me, when I feel so alone in hard times now, not to settle for just talking to someone. I want the real deal-- and nothing but. I've learned how to talk myself down (and who to call when I can't).

And for folks who don't feel like they want to name their feeling directly, even on the phone, rape/DV hotlines are also great 24/7 on venting that SO ALONE feeling, and making a healthy plan (Like when my #MeToo experiences are triggered beyond my coping skills.)

Because in those moments, with only the wrong people around you-- you actually ARE alone, when you've made a healthy decision to withdraw from toxicity. Until you reach out to real listening, which is exactly the opposite of urgency.

~S~