An analysis of calls to a Vietnam veterans' telephone counselling service.

The pattern of calls to an after-hours crisis telephone service for Vietnam veterans was surveyed over a 9-week period. Not including prank and administrative calls, 274 calls were made to the service. Domestic conflict, substance abuse, traumatic memories, depression, and anger at government represented the major problems requiring counselling. Crisis intervention was required for 18% of calls because of suicide threats or threatened violence to others. The survey findings indicate that telephone counselling can be an appropriate means to provide support for many veterans who may avoid conventional counselling agencies.