ASAPcamille's advice column

How anonymous are hotlines such as the suicide prevention hotline, etc?

I'm not personally suffering, but this boy I met said he had been considering suicide but didn't want to contact the hotline because he didn't want them to find him. He also doesn't want the number to show up on his phone bill because he's afraid his parents will see it and try and find out who the number belongs to.

I'm really worried for him and I want him to at least call this number.
So, how anonymous is it? I don't want to lie to him and tell him it is when it isn't.
I want him to get some temporary help from these people while I figure out what more I can do to help him. (which will more than likely consist of me telling someone more able to get him help).

For the time being though - are these numbers truly anonymous or are there ways people can find out he called?

This also includes numbers such as teen talk, etc.

They are completely annonymous. The only time they really get involved is if they are in serious trouble.

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