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Charitable Organization TelephoneSeelsorge Neuss seeks eager individuals for volunteering opportunities.

Voicing the selfless roles they undertake, volunteers of the telephone counseling service in Neuss can function as supportive listeners, critical lifelines when one feels lost, and occasionally, lifesavers.

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Dedicated Help: The Volunteer Workers of Neuss Telephone Counseling Service, who are there as...
Dedicated Help: The Volunteer Workers of Neuss Telephone Counseling Service, who are there as attentive listeners, a vital lifeline for those in distress, and sometimes, veritable saviors.

Charitable Organization TelephoneSeelsorge Neuss seeks eager individuals for volunteering opportunities.

Fireside Chat with Susanne Helpenstein: Reflections on 2024

It's Susanne Helpenstein, the bold director of our helpful helpline, here to spill the beans on last year's events. She's crystal clear on one thing: "We're still cryin' out for committed volunteers!"

Now, our team is a ragtag bunch of 70 volunteers, but they've been the lifeline for many a soul in distress. Last year, they got 10,053 calls from all corners of Germany, primarily from the Rhein-Kreis Neuss area.

The reasons for the calls? Loneliness and isolation tugged at the heartstrings of 19.2 percent of the callers, with a handful expressing dark thoughts or immediate plans to self-harm (1.2 percent). Knowin' how to handle such situations, according to volunteer Katrin (name changed to protect her privacy), is all about takin' the caller seriously, stayin' calm, and tryin' to figure out what's got 'em so upset. Then, it's about findin' common ground to reevaluate the decision to end it all.

But despair ain't the only tune on our playlist. Other main topics included "Physical ailments, illnesses, and disabilities" (18.5 percent), "Depressive mood" (15.6 percent), and family relationships (15.3 percent). Current crises and international conflicts were also hot topics of discussion. And the helpline stays open 365 days a year, 24/7, because misery loves company and gotta let people know that they're not alone.

The call goes on, and more volunteers are needed to keep it goin'. They've got to be willing to connect with others, lend a sympathetic ear, and have a couple of life experiences under their belts. Applicants need to be at least 25, ready to commit around 15 hours a month, including eight night shifts a year, and complete a nine-month training and six-month practical phase. Katrin, our brave volunteer on the front lines, says it's a journey of self-discovery, which usually leaves her feelin' good about herself. Plus, most callers thank her at the end, and sometimes they even share a laugh.

Bein' open to all people is another crucial requirement. Our helpline, a combined effort by the Protestant Church Circle of Gladbach/Neuss and the Catholic Parish Association in the Rhein-Kreis Neuss district, welcomes everyone regardless of their religion, nationality, or sexual orientation.

Another service offered is email counseling, with the same principles of confidentiality and anonymity. In 2024, our email counselors handled 1,221 emails from Neuss citizens, with the main topics bein' "Anxiety" (25.1 percent), "Depressive mood" (23.5 percent), "Suicidality" (17.9 percent), "Family relationships" (15.6 percent), and "Loneliness" (13 percent). The first email is usually responded to within 48 hours.

Wanna join the party? The helpline is hosting an information evening for potential volunteers on May 5th, 6 PM, at the Edith Stein Family Forum, Schwannstraße 11. If you're drooling to sign up, just hit 'em up via email at [email protected] and secure your seat. Training starts on September 20th/21st. For a deeper dive, give 'em a ring at 02131/2 35 75 or cruise by their website www.telefonseesorge-neuss.de to learn more. It's time to gather up your courage and be the difference someone needs!

  1. Susanne Helpenstein, the director of the helpline, emphasizes the need for more committed volunteers in the field of mental health.
  2. Physical ailments, illnesses, and disabilities, depressive mood, and family relationships were among the main topics discussed during the helpline calls in 2024.
  3. In addition to phone counseling, the helpline also offers email counseling, with anxiety and depressive mood being the main topics addressed.
  4. The helpline, a joint effort by the Protestant Church Circle of Gladbach/Neuss and the Catholic Parish Association in the Rhein-Kreis Neuss district, welcomes volunteers regardless of their religion, nationality, or sexual orientation.
  5. Volunteers undergo a nine-month training and six-month practical phase, and they are required to commit around 15 hours a month, including eight night shifts a year.
  6. CBD, a potential treatment for neurological disorders such as migraines, may be a relevant topic for discussion in the future, considering the nature of the calls the helpline receives.

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