[dsplittgerber]

I would recommend you affiliate yourself with some kind of institution - like a University, a hospital or something like that. They may be able to provide you with an unused room or a landline. I don't know about perceptions in Pakistan, but you may have to consider keeping the support of that institution secret, that is having a different telephone number prefix than the institution that supports you.

It's very difficult to get funding for starting Suicide hotlines. Also, it's very difficult to get adaquate training for the people manning the lines, which is _far more important_ than anything else. You do not want to get into a situation where you have a serious case and your telephone agent is not prepared. No, 'just' being a medical doctor or psych student does not prepare you for that. Do not rely on mobile phones, the connection may get dropped anytime.

[ammarkalim]

Thank you so much for your adice...this is actually a really interesting perspective. I am thinking myself of affiliating my self with a university so that they can help me in providing training to volunteers. Yeah, i am thinking of eliminating mobiles phones from the whole scenario and focus completely on an internal PBX system. As for the funding, i hope that i can bank roll it myself...i am not so sure right now, but considering the increasing number of difficulties faced Pakistanis i think i need to start this as soon as possible.