Why do people love the whiners on Neopets?

[User5931]

Honestly--as much as it annoys me sometimes to not offer any solutions--I just listen. I figure that if they want help, they'll ask for it. I remember one visitor ending the call because they said that I wasn't listening enough and they didn't need a solution--they just wanted to get it off their chest. I think it's understandable that we underestimate how useful just listening can be. It not only gives someone reassurance that their issues are validly concerning them but it also gives them the space to express their emotions and thus work on identifying the root of the problem. Not to sound like one of those bumper stickers, but if someone needs help--they'll ask for it more often than not.

I guess I underestimated the power of listening. But in the case where the person is in immediate danger are you required to act in some way?

[SpecialisAlio]

I guess I underestimated the power of listening. But in the case where the person is in immediate danger are you required to act in some way?

No worries--honestly, I would say most people do. Listening is nowhere near as proactive as problem solving or even empathizing but for some people, it's what they need. Often, it's the first step that will lead to a solution although I suspect the person that the OP is referring to is likely not looking for a solution given their frequent propensity to complain about their problems.

So it's a bit circumstantial with "immediate danger." In case of suicide/self-harm, we do have protocols that we have to follow. In the case of like someone attacking them again (we specialize with sexual assault, so unfortunately...this isn't the most uncommon thing), we advise them to call 911 if possible. Most of the time, we don't get "immediate danger" situations because in our privacy and safety check-in that we're required to do in the beginning, we ask the caller if they're in a safe place right now and if they're not, we advise them to re-locate or to call the authorities.

Lemme know if you have any other questions! I would be more than glad to answer them over PM or something as to not completely detract from the topic :p

[Targaryen]

I'm really tired but I read "Why does everyone love wieners on neopets".

I was going to try to reply but luckily that is an entirely different topic. xD

[User5931]

No worries--honestly, I would say most people do. Listening is nowhere near as proactive as problem solving or even empathizing but for some people, it's what they need. Often, it's the first step that will lead to a solution although I suspect the person that the OP is referring to is likely not looking for a solution given their frequent propensity to complain about their problems.

So it's a bit circumstantial with "immediate danger." In case of suicide/self-harm, we do have protocols that we have to follow. In the case of like someone attacking them again (we specialize with sexual assault, so unfortunately...this isn't the most uncommon thing), we advise them to call 911 if possible. Most of the time, we don't get "immediate danger" situations because in our privacy and safety check-in that we're required to do in the beginning, we ask the caller if they're in a safe place right now and if they're not, we advise them to re-locate or to call the authorities.

Lemme know if you have any other questions! I would be more than glad to answer them over PM or something as to not completely detract from the topic :p

Thanks for the info! I was curious about the confidentiality vs. safety issue with hotlines. Sorry for spamming your topic goldentryst.