Saving a life as an uber driver

Picked up a passenger today and along the way, she commented on how comforting it was to hear someone who has the accent from her hometown. Then after that she started tearing and telling me that she had just overdosed on drugs from trying to take her life and needed to go to the hospital as she doesn't want to die. I rushed to the hospital hearing that. As I helped her out of the car, she asked for a hug and I gave her one and told her she should hurry in. I then went to park my car and went in to the hospital just to check on her and found her sitting on the chairs waiting in line. I asked if she told the nurse what she did and she did not. I ran up to the nurse window and told what I heard and just as the nurse called for her, she collapsed onto the ground. The nurses rushed out and took her in telling me that they will take over from there. I hope we made it in time.

If you have overdosed on drugs or pills, I would recommend calling an ambulance rather than an uber! I guess in this case, this passenger was more comfortable getting an uber instead.

I guess I have never thought about the importance of uber. I always thought it was just a means to earn money. But the little interactions you exchange with passengers during the short trips, sometimes can be life changing, and sometimes can save a life.

If you're feeling depressed or suicidal, please seek help before doing anything!

Here are some useful contacts for people in Perth:

For immediate assistance – ALL HOURS
Police / Fire / Ambulance – 000
Police / Fire / Ambulance (from mobile) – 112 

Lifeline 24/7 Crisis Line –  crisis support, suicide intervention and prevention, mental health support service – 13 11 14

Crisis Care (Family Helpline) – family domestic violence, homelessness, child welfare  – (08) 9223 1111 (metro) or 1800 199 008 (country).

Kids Helpline – Counselling service for young people between 5 and 25 years – 1800 551 800

Men’s Line – Service for men with relationship and family concerns – 1300 789 978

Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline  – (08) 9223 1188

Men’s Domestic Violence Helpline  – (08) 9223 1199 (1800 000 599)

Rural Link – Service for the rural communities of WA – 1800 720 101

The Samaritans – Support to the lonely, despairing and suicidal.

Samaritans Care Line – (08) 9381 5555 (metro)
Samaritans Care Line – 1800 198 313 (country)
Samaritans Youth Line – (08) 9388 2500

Alcohol & Drug Information Service (ADIS)  – (08) 9442 5000

Mental Health Emergency Response Line –  (08) 9224 8888

Parenting WA – Information, support and referral services to parents, carers, grandparents and families with children up to 18 years  –  (08) 6279 1200

Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC)  – (08) 9340 1828

Mental Health and Other Support Services

ARBOR – Free outreach counselling service for those bereaved by suicide or sudden death – (08) 9263 2150

Beyond Blue – Information on a wide variety of mental health problems for sufferers, carers and professionals – 1300 224 636

Child Protection Unit – Within Princess Margaret Rose Hospital. Ensures that children are protected whilst in hospital and on discharge.  Covers child abuse, injury, neglect and well being – (08) 9340 8646

Depression Help | Anxiety Advice – Anxiety Advice is a website offering advice to people with anxiety and or depression and their to their families, here you will find a wide variety of articles relating to depression, anxiety and other clinical disorders.

Fremantle Multicultural Centre – Crisis accommodation and settlement programs for refugees and migrants. It also operates a mental health referral program – (08) 9336 8282

Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. The service is designed to make it easy as possible for a young person and their family to get the help they need for problems affecting their wellbeing. Find your nearest location

Ngala Family Resource Centre – Early parenting services, support and guidance for families and young children – (08) 9368 9368

QLife is a national LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Intersex) telephone (1800 184 527) and web chat counselling service that provides support, referrals and information to LGBTI individuals, parents, friends, family and professionals. QLife operates 365 days of the year from 3pm – midnight.

SANE – Information and helpline for people with mental health issues – 1800 187 263

Youth Focus – Working with young people, aged 12-18 yrs who show signs of depression, self-harm and suicide.  Also supports families – (08) 9266 4333