To think this is utterly shit (Samaritans related)

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

It was a recording. Not a real person. Just a fucking recording with trite phrases.
If they just said "all our people are busy right now, keep trying" it wouldn't be so bad, but to hold for 10 minutes then get a fucking recording is enough to push someone over the edge.
I know this is aibu but can one of you PLEASE just tell me I am a worthwhile person and I will be ok... PLEASE.

[StrangeLookingParasite]

If DH was a single parent, would UC be as hard on him?

Don't think this. Please don't.

[DramaAlpaca]

Oh PomBear I'm not sure what to say here about your situation other than it sounds utterly crap & bloody tough. And you are NOT crap, I know you're not. You are doing your best in a difficult situation. I can't do much other than offer another handhold & a virtual

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

And, ahead of my 24 hour shift starting at 9am today, I have logged on and read the daily notes/reports/Comms book, only to find a colleague has totally thrown me under the bus for something that happened last week. She could have easily just asked me about it, it's easily explained, but now the "worst case scenario" is on the record and all I can do is wait for the hammer to fall so to speak.
I honestly don't know how much longer I can do this, and I can't quit because DH's mental health means he can't look for a job just now, and we're on UC so no work means no money and constant bombardment with hoops to jump through which makes both our MH worse.
I HAVE to keep going, and I honestly don't think I can. I have three children asleep upstairs and they deserve better than this. They need me, but I am crap.
If DH was a single parent, would UC be as hard on him?
I don't know what to do, and later today, I will literally have people's lives in my hands...

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

I went and it was ok. I got through the day, then about two hours after I got home I realised I did something wrong. I texted the colleague on the sleepover and she was lovely about it and sorted it out for me thankfully.
I have the sleepover on Saturday but weekends tend to be quiet so it should be ok.

[DramaAlpaca]

PomBear how did you get on today? Mine wasn't as bad as expected. Thanks for the handhold

[manorroee]

Hey OP.
Just count down the hours and have some chocolates at the ready for 5pm!

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

Thanks "Vipers", I didn't actually think anyone would be here!
@Drama I will SO hold your hand, and will picture you holding mine through today. It WILL help me get through, and hopefully will help you too!

[DramaAlpaca]

I'm here. I've also got a really tough day coming up at work tomorrow, and I'll hold your hand if you'll hold mine. It'll be tough, but d'you know what? We'll get through it & it'll be OK.

[EMacCoffee]

Hey there, Imhere. I've just read your thread and I'm sorry to hear about the recorded message, I've never had that experience on any helpline I've ever called. I think if they're going to use robots they need to make it clear that it is a robot and not a human so that people don't have experiences like yours.

To the PP who mentioned the CALM helpline: I've been on their website before and it certainly used to say it was just for men? Is this still the case? (Sorry to put this question here OP).

OP you will get through tomorrow. It will all be ok. Keep talking to us x

[Pomegranatemolasses]

Hello Pom,I am here and listening to you. I’ve missed out a little on the earlier stuff, but I can totally relate to how horrid it feels to face work at times.
You are not alone, there’s an army of us out here, struggling, putting on a brave face, crying in the car and yet somehow muddling through.
You will get through tomorrow, as tough as it may feel. And you and I and all the rest of us weary foot soldiers shall bask in the knowledge that we’re not alone.
It will be ok and you are strong.

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

Sorry to bother you again, I am at work at 9am and it is a work thing that is preying on my mind and fucking me up just now. I am in 9-5 Wednesday, which is a harder shift than my Saturday 9am - Sunday 9am one, and I am not sure I can cope.
Not going in is not an option, so if anyone is still here, a word of encouragement would really be appreciated right now...

[LyraLaVey]

To Pom or anybody else who might be struggling, from 5pm till midnight you can call the CALM helpline 0800 585858 too. They also have webchat. Hope you're feeling better this evening

[arigina]

Glad there's a chink of light coming through OP ..any relief to heavy negative thoughts helps x

[SunshineCake]

It is and it is also embarrassing but I have no family and in-laws who don't understand along with three tiny children at the time and it was all really difficult.

[DingDongSchadenfreudeOnHigh]

It's surprising how upsetting being the target of spite from complete strangers can be though - especially when you are vulnerable emotionally and mentally. and haven't done anything to invite the vitriol except ask for a bit of hand-holding or advice..

[SunshineCake]

Thank you DingDong. I just stopped posting when things were really bad. I had quite a few threads and it got too much when all were attacks. I did have a more recent one and while it wasn't generously answered people were kind and I do talk to one lady who has hung in there with me.

Sorry for making this bit about me, Pom. . Hope you continue to feel better.

[Mummyoflittledragon]

Good. I’m glad you’re feeling more with it. That probably a little more like the real you.

[Rudolphsjinglebells]

Glad you came back to us with an update and are feeling a bit better. Is there anything you feel like doing for the evening? Watching a movie from the comfort of your duvet or getting a takeaway? Anything that would lift your spirits for a while?

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

You are such lovely vipers - thank you all.
I am still in bed, but am feeling a bit more "with it" than I was.

[DingDongSchadenfreudeOnHigh]

Sunshine - I'm sorry to learn that you got an unsympathetic hearing on here some years ago. I hope we've grown since then.

I'm glad you seem to have come through it.

[DingDongSchadenfreudeOnHigh]

28 years ago I applied to be a Samaritan volunteer but didn't make the cut for being too open.

I did the same decades ago, too Sunshine.

I also for a while would recognise a couple of people who did make the cut (just because they were on the course with me - it's like the SAS or Fight Club - you don't talk about it). I wonder if they ares till doing it - it's quite arduous - if someone doesn't turn up for their shift, you are expected to stay on(or were, don't know if it's the same now); if someone is on the phone for 6 hours, then so are you, even your shift ended 5 hours and 30 minutes ago; if someone appears to be using you as an aid to masturbation - tough - you stay on the phone because you just do not know if they may be on the brink of suicide; if someone spills hideous details of harrowing abuse, you carry them with you (there are opportunities to talk these out, obviously, but there are some things you can't "unhear" . . .

Samaritans are an amazing bunch.

[SunshineCake]

28 years ago I applied to be a Samaritan volunteer but didn't make the cut for being too open. I wouldn't dare try again .

PomBear hope you are feeling better.

Years ago I posted when having a crisis and it is lovely to see you are getting a better response than I did.

[YetAnotherBeckyMumsnet]

Hello there @PomBearWithAnOFRS - we're really sorry to hear you're having a hard time and we hope you get in touch with The Samaritans today. In the mean time, you might find some useful information on our Mental Health resources. You can also go to the Samaritans website or email them on [email protected].

Support from other Mumsnetters is great and we really hope you will be able to take some comfort from your fellow posters, but as other MNers will tell you, it's really a good idea to seek RL help and support as well.

We also like to remind everyone that, although we're awed daily by the astonishing support our members give each other through life's trickier twists and turns, we'd always caution anyone never to give more of themselves to another poster, emotionally or financially, than they can afford to spare.

We're going to move this thread over to the Mental Health section shortly.

[DotBall]

Marillion! Saw them at the Hammersmith Odeon (now the Apollo) in the late 80s, superb! I follow Fish’s Facebook page. He’s turned into a seemingly lovely old gent who likes his family, his garden allotment and is still touring. Check it out!

[AtrociousCircumstance]

The criticisms about the recorded messages are NOT that they exist - the issue is Pom thought for a minute she’d got through to a real person and the bot momentarily tricked her.

If the recording had been clear and upfront that is was just a recording, it wouldn’t have been so painful.

Hold on Pom, this too shall pass