[VampireWillow]

I worked at a suicide hotline in Canada. The problem with what you are saying is that, as far as I know, there is no unified organism for suicide prevention centers and hotlines in North America (there are associations, but they don't seem to demand a unified process).

This means that, while your experience totally sucked, it can't be generalized. Most people I've talked to from all over the country genuinely want to help. I assume it's the same in the US. But some centers offer very little training, and their legal means probably vary a lot by location.

That said, there is a lot they can do beyond calling an ambulance, but it still comes down to talking and guidance, no one can physically force people to get better, except maybe some institutions (debatable).