Nic rolls up the sleeves of his turquoise blue sweater and takes his service: “I’m going to unblock the line, it’s going to ring right now.” This young retiree does around forty four-hour shifts a year. “SOS Friendship, hello”, she says. On the phone, there is a young girl in tears: “I am here, I am listening to you, reassures Nic. You had a fight with your boyfriend … Are you scarifying yourself? And that allays the anguish you have? Okay.” And thirty-two minutes later: “Listen, so much the better and don’t hesitate to call back if things aren’t going very well, goodbye”, Nic smiles, hanging up.
The end of the year celebrations are synonymous with family reunion for some but for others, they accentuate the feeling of isolation and loneliness. To listen to them, as throughout the year, the SOS Amitié association remains mobilized. Anywhere in France, you can call them on 09 72 39 40 50, if you are feeling lonely or have dark thoughts. At the end of the line, at all hours of the day and night, there is a volunteer listener who is there to answer you.
The exchanges are anonymous, without judgments and without advice. There is only listening. But inevitably some calls mark the mind more than others. “He was a man who called because he wanted to rape his daughter, says Nic. He wanted to have sex with his daughter when this child was 11-12 years old. I told myself that it was better for him to call SOS Friendship rather than rape his daughter and if he called I told myself that he wanted to be stopped, to be listened to. “
Despite everything, Nic has kept the same enthusiasm for ten years: “There are great eavesdropping that can start badly. The person calls in tears, sobs, in absolute distress. And then, little by little, the anguish loosens and finally, it is magic in this case, that ends with a form of bonding, of smiling and even of shared laughter. That’s great. “
“These people who call us, I have a form of admiration for them.”
Nic, volunteer at SOS Amitiéto franceinfo
You don’t become “listening” overnight. Before being ready to face all these stories, which range from loneliness to suicide cravings, the association provides its volunteers with at least four months’ training with psychologists and psychiatrists. The association is currently recruiting volunteers and is launching a call for donations on its website sos-amitie.com.
During the holidays, the volunteers of SOS Amitié remain mobilized – Report by Valentin Houinato
to listen
If you need help, if you are worried or if you are confronted with the suicide of a member of your entourage, there are anonymous listening services. The Suicide listening line is reachable 24/7 on 01 45 39 40 00. Other information is also available on the website of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health.