If you are presently in a crisis and/or feeling suicidal, you will find a list of telephone numbers and /or email addresses below of caring volunteers. Though these volunteers have received some training, they are not mental health professionals and are not a substitute for professional assistance. They are not and am not assuming the role of your physician or therapist. They are also not aware of your medical problems and psychiatric diagnoses, which usually has a dramatic effect on medication and other treatment recommendations. You must make a medical and treatment plan with your physician and therapist.

However most of these volunteers have psychiatric diagnoses and have been in the trenches just as you are now. They truly know and understand how much pain you are in. They have been screened and report that they are well into recovery and are stable. You too can find this stability in your life, but right now, let's get you out of crisis and out of risk for self harm.

Feel free to call any one of these people only during the days and hours that they list as being available. Calling them any other time is not acceptable unless you have their direct permission. 

You must call direct. No collect calls will be accepted unless the person's bio states it is ok. Please do not ask the volunteers to call you back unless you read it in their bio.

If you do not own a phone, I suggest buying a "phone card" and using a pay phone or a friend's phone. 

If you are drunk or high you are still encouraged to call if you feel you are at risk of harming yourself. However no abusive behavior will be tolerated and your call will end immediately.

The times listed below are all Eastern Standard Time, United States of America.

6) Sheila Samin from Texas. Email Volunteer SHEILASAMY@aol.com 

I'm a 26 year old female who was diagnosed with manic depression when I was 16 and still in high-school, which was good because we caught it pretty early in my life. Most all of my teen years have been complete depression and after I came done from my hyper-mania I went straight back down again. Since, then or since I was 21 I've been depressed and trying my hardest to fight it. I haven't attempted suicide because of my family. My father was a big support and my doctor at the time suggested ECT treatments, this is what saved my life. Now my meds. work and I

Now I can say I'm doing well, right now I'm not working or going to school, but I'm trying to cope with life without depression, does this make sense? When I finally got out of the hole and went into mania one more time and then back out of mania, I've been on a new kind of level. This whole thing shocks me, not being depressed. It a whole new world out there and I can actually enjoy it. I've told my father it's like being reborn and at any age this is a great accomplishment. This illness was passed by my father's side of the family and I know there was no way that I could not have gotten it, it's just something God has challenged me with and many others in this world. This illness makes us stronger people, we just need to get through it, that's all. I know your thinking "that's all" sounds so easy but, it was a long road for me and it will never end, this illness is a part of me for life. I'm just doing the best I can and no more. Stress is something us bipolar people do not need and should try our hardest to lessen. It will get better "Sometimes you need to be confronted with things before you really know your potential" and depression is something we just need to confront. For me finding a support group in the area that I live in has worked great and also finding help through family and friends. They are here for us, we just need to let them help.

This illness can be beaten.

7) Madison Mccormick...Washington, D.C....cellphone #-301-424-0814...can take calls anytime. Email: MADISONMC22000@YAHOO.COM 

I am a 40 year old mother of 4 children, 2 boys 2 girls ages 16,15,12,and 9. I have been married for 18 years and dated my husband off and on for 6 years prior to our marriage. I am still married but I often wonder how and why sometimes - its been a long road for both my husband and family! I myself being A BPD sufferer as well as my family suffering through all of it, it's been a hell of a trip!

But I am alive and presently and amazingly well enough to tell about it all! I think I was and always have been a BPD person with major depression to boot which as you know go along hand and hand with this dreaded disease. I grew up in a very "controlling environment" with my mom being the control freak and my dad basically an alcoholic absentee father. I learned fast and hard how to be a "good girl" really quick because if I wasn't I was severely beaten for not being one! I really have a great block defense however being in therapy weekly with finally the right therapist has helped uncover some of my conveniently forgotten childhood memories. 

I fit the bill perfectly unfortunately for being a BPD. However through the years I'm sure I could have won an academy award for best performance as the "best daughter, wife, and mother! Fake it till ya make it was my motto! Well that lasted until the birth of my last daughter where my thyroid gave out which sent me to the hospital in a myxedemia coma. The aftermath of recovering left me in a severe depression which the doctors kept mistaking for a wide range of medical disorders from MS to a possible brain tumor! I knew deep down it was a total breakdown and really had a long time coming to terms with that. 

I became very suicidal where I was hospitalized over the next 7 years for 4 attempts. The last one being the most serious which left me in a coma for about 3 days and a psych ward for 3 weeks. I was released and put on nine different meds all at the same time! It amazes me I could even drive, or function I think. I was on autopilot. I was working as a special ed Teacher at the time for troubled teens and still to this day don't remember how I got through it all. I finally got enough courage and strength from somewhere to say, hey I can't feel anything being all drugged up! I really then wanted to just stay in bed and just hope I would never wake up! 

So I called my therapist and she came to see me, took me to my psychiatrist and said enough is enough! Madison is not even human anymore she a walking robot! So to make a long story short I was finally weaned off of All meds and now after a year and 1/2 I currently am on my thyroid meds, Wellbutrin and Valium. Yes, I can see your frown re" the valium however it works for me and that's how I've now, finally with the help of my wonderful therapist and sometimes patient husband have been about to get it together. 

I am currently manager at a wonderful boutique in Georgetowne in Washington DC. I love my job and my life at the moment. Sure the suicide thoughts will come into my head at times of stress but I have learned through therapy, meditation and just believing in myself that I am a worthwhile person who does have a lot to give back to this world. 

I really want to volunteer for this program because I really believe the fact that one doesn't really know what it feels like to be suicidal unless you've been to that dark place yourself and have dug yourself out of that black hole and managed to survive! I could go on and on as my Bio is very extensive but I don't want to bore you!  I have an undergrad degree from Duke and My masters in spec. ed from GW. I feel those degrees don't mean anything really. I think the experience of having been through all this pain and suffering is what it's all about.

That alone makes a good listener and volunteer. I hope I can be of some help to someone who needs me, Thanks so much, Madison Mccormick

Madison has been with us for 3 yrs and has been a great help, taking emails and phone calls 24/7. She has been a great asset to the site. - Tim Pheil L.P.N. Founder of the Mental Health Sanctuary.

8) Yvonne from Dayton, OH. Her number is 937-253-2378 and she can take calls Monday-Friday 6pm-10pm

I do not have a history of suicide attempts, though I have experienced depression occasionally, but not major depression. I was diagnosed 4 years ago with generalized anxiety disorder, have undergone talk therapy for a couple of years, and continue drug therapy for this condition. It has never interfered with my ability to function in daily life or with my work. I was told it was brought about by outside events, such as my divorce 4 years ago, and then the death of my fiancé 2 years ago. It has helped me to empathize with others who experience depression and acute anxiety.
I am currently married to an attorney who was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder one month before our marriage, in March 1999. I have, as a result, learned a lot about this condition, how it affects not only the person afflicted, but those close to them. 

10) Curtis, from Kentucky. Email volunteer only. His address is cwright12@webtv.net 

My name is Curtis and I live in Kentucky. I have suffered from Bipolar Disorder and Major Depression for most of my life. I think I also suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder but have never been correctly diagnosed with it by my doctors. I tried to kill myself about 6 years ago so I can understand the hopeless feelings a person can get. I have since found that life is worth living and I consider myself a real survivor. I do not self-mutilate but I do know that some of my friends suffer from his behavior. I am currently going through a divorce, after a long separation from my wife, and am trying to establish custody of a son that I just recently found out about. I would like to help, and if you would like to write to me, please feel free to do so. I look forward to hearing from you!

12) Kathy from Australia. She wants to be an email-only volunteer. Her address is :
PaulKathy@bigpond.com. 

I am a 32y old mother of three and have BPD and chronic depression. Long under control, but its not easy. With maturity and circumstances my life has changed. I still see a psychiatrist who is great and I'm getting married. I have done lots of volunteer work and counseling and suicide courses. 13) Holly from Buffalo, New York. She wants to be an email only volunteer. Her address is : GothicFireAngel@cs.com

My name is Holly. I am a senior in high school. I have suffered from depression for some time now (eight years). The last time I tried to kill my self was 2 years ago. Since then I have realized that you ARE worth something and you CAN make it past your problems. The grass is not greener on the other side. I love to talk and to help people with their problems. This fall I will be going to college for Psychology. I live in Buffalo New York. I check my email at least ten times a day. If you would like to email me just to talk...feel free. I can't wait to meet some of you. If you would prefer to talk to some one your own age that has gone through the same things, feel free and email me.