If you attempt to contact Pieta via text, you receive a "Not sent, tap to try again" error. This error does not go away, even if you still have full text allowance on your account. Pieta is currently completely inaccessible if you are on prepay.
Thanks for clarifying. Standard network rates apply when texting Pieta House. These standard network rates are not included in your allowance. Due to this, you'll need to top up to send the text message. Alternatively, you can call Pieta House directly for free.
I'm sorry, but that is not good enough. This is not made clear during the sign-up process. It actively blocks users from getting help when they are suicidal.
"you can call Pieta House directly" is not a viable option when it comes to a suicide prevention service.
Also; "you'll need to top up to send the message" is frankly tone-deaf when referring to a suicide prevention service.
This is a standard network rate which applies to texts sent from any network to Pieta House. You can view full details of this on the Pieta House website here. I do apologise if you felt the suggestion to call the Pieta house was not viable and I did not mean any offence by this. As they offer a free phone number to reach them you wouldn't need to have credit on your mobile phone to call this number which is why I offered the suggestion in my previous response.
I totally agree with you and am considering moving away from 3 after many years because of this. It is totally unacceptable and not in the spirit if a free crisis line. Many people simply cannot pick up the phone to talk and cannot afford the extra text costs which is why they are on prepay in the firstvpkace. Three should be very ashamed of themselves for not having a work around for this vital service. I am going to do my best from here on in to publicise this failure on threes side. They are a large company and if so wanted could wave the cost of these texts. Clearly they don't have a social conscience.
