This is not true. This isn't how most suicide hotlines work. This is irresponsible journalism.

I live in Australia and my suicidal friend called our suicide hotline Lifeline and received excellent help. I have also called them for advice on how to help a suicidal friend. I’ve also called the cops on a suicidal friend for a welfare check and they checked on him, talked to him, then left.

To imply that suicide helplines all just want to go “mwahaha let me keep a suffering person talking so I can imprison them and make them suffer more" is attributing malice to one of the most altruistic services that exists.

I’m not saying bad experiences don’t happen but a blanket “never call a suicide hotline" statement is dangerous and wrong.