You don't need to go to medical school to convince a person that their life is worth living. That is called caring enough to help. Not everyone has the luxury of quality therapy or psychiatric care.
There is a huge difference in an adult, by their own free will, calling a hot-line instead of killing themselves. As apposed to a child being forced into thought reform. We are not children anymore. If I can help a friend in need, then good for both of us.
I mean, what is organized religion? It's basicly a cult in the name of Jesus in alot of people's minds. But, I'm not going to start a debate against it. That's closed minded and selfishly immature.
A person, willing to volunteer help, basicly to provide an ear to listen, is no cult, it's a friend. Just because we were a part of a horrific mind control experiment, doesn't give us the right to "cry wolf" at the drop of a hat. Help helps. It's the alternative to attempting suicide at 4am , alone and hopeless. Even if you are only on the phone long enough to give them a suicide hot-line #, or calling their local emergency room. It can make a difference. I've taken a friend who over-dosed (suicide attempt) to the hospital before, and it saved their life. I've had a friend call me from their cell phone, on their roof, ready to jump, and kept them on the phone long enough to get help to them, and it was long distance!
This is silly to argue because, what do you do? Tell the person, sorry find a shrink loser? I'm not heartless, I can't turn my back . I'm going to try to help a person who needs and asks for it. Learn to recognize the difference, before you cry CULT!!!
A dime is something, when you think you have nothing.
Morli