Lives on the line

SHANGHAI: The phone rings at the small office of LifeLine Shanghai, a helpline offering free confidential information and emotional support to the international community.

On the other end of the line is an expat overwhelmed by cut-throat corporate Shanghai. It has become too much to bear. He's contemplating suicide, but decides to first pick up the phone to talk to one of LifeLine volunteers.

The anonymous volunteer listens. The man agrees to face some of the unbearable elements in his life and promises to call back the next day. He never does.