Workers in a suicide prevention centre, like others, find it difficult to deal with the obscene telephone caller. Two kinds of callers are described. One is the “part-time obscene caller” for whom it is suggested that his obvious & hidden messages in the call be responded to in a way that he may develop trust in the service & possibly become amenable to help either through referral or telephone counseling. The “chronic obscene caller” must be handled differently. Some options are discussed.