A 17-year-old girl called the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline asking how to report her mother and grandmother for abusing her. She described being yelled at, slapped and hit, and watched while undressing. As she shared her experiences, she expressed confusion and pain about why this was happening to her and said she felt hopeless and suicidal, “I don’t want to be here anymore.” She then shared having thoughts of taking an entire bottle of ibuprofen or jumping from a freeway overpass.
The counselor listened and provided support as the girl described the emotional toll of the abuse. Together, they practiced what she might say when contacting Child Protective Services so she could feel more prepared and less alone in making the report. After thanking the girl for her honesty and courage, the counselor worked collaboratively with her to develop a safety plan. They talked through the situations and emotions that triggered these thoughts and identified people and resources she could reach out to when she began to feel overwhelmed, including calling the Childhelp hotline again. To reduce immediate risk, the girl agreed to remove ibuprofen from her possession and to remain inside her home during moments of intense distress.
The conversation also focused on coping strategies she could use in the meantime to manage her feelings and regain a sense of control. By the end of the call, she expressed relief and gratitude, stating, “I’m really happy that you were the one who answered my call tonight. You really helped me.” She also shared that she felt less alone and more supported, and that she now had a clearer understanding of how to use coping skills when suicidal thoughts arise.
