Brickbat: The Waiting Is the Hardest Part

Credit: Delwin Steven Campbell / flickr

Callers to a Veterans Affairs suicide hotline are supposed to be reach a trained crisis worker within one minute. But an inspector general's report found that did not always happen. In fact, some of those calling the hotline were placed into voicemail and never even got a call back.

Comments

[Adans smith]

The V.A is a mess,I'm sure Bernie will get right on this.

[Suthenboy]

He certainly will. He has already promised he will turn the entire medical industry into the VA.

[Adans smith]

Yes,equal to socialist means equal misery.

[The Hyperbole]

Based on my quick calculations this call center averaged 25-26 calls an hour 24/7 for eight years, the article claims there were "more than 20" of these missed calls. Yeah it shouldn't happen and it's good that they're looking into it, but to act like this is a colossal fuck-up is a bit of a stretch. I'd wager they lose more calls due to bad cell connections.

[Adans smith]

The V.A. seems to 'lose people that are waiting to get care in all forms.

[Fist of Etiquette]

If you give out a number for for potential suicides to call, you pretty much need to make certain the phones are manned. Do the job or stand aside.

[Radioactive]

or at least bend over...

[Fist of Etiquette]

In fact, some of those calling the hotline were placed into voicemail and never even got a call back.

Yes, but the promise of that call gives them something to live for. It's a genius strategy.

[Jerryskids]

"Your call is important to us" would give me the reassuring sense of being needed necessary to go on living, I can tell you that.

[UnCivilServant]

When I was on a call center, the management went ape if caller wait times even approached a minute. If the agents were all busy because of the volume, they'd get on the phones themselves.

But that was just an IT helpdesk, not any place where lives were on the line.

[Rufus The Monocled Derp Slayer]

"Callers to a Veterans Affairs suicide hotline are supposed to be reach a trained crisis worker"

Just saying.

Someone has to be the bad guy.

[Ted S.]

Single-payer for the win!

[rudehost]

Your suicide is very important to us. Please hold the line and our voice mail system will be with you shortly 21B.

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[simplybe]

Why would you think anyone in the Federal government would care about anyone in the general population. You are here to make childern for Corporate wars and to supply labor. If what I am saying is a lie then why do our military leaders think 60% death toll in a war is acceptable. And I am talking about civilian lives on American soil. Think about this when you are voting.

[Acosmist]

The fuck