Shouldn’t I talk to friends and family instead?

Some people do not have the support of friends or family. Others do have friends or family to talk to, but find that talking to someone neutral can be beneficial. Samaritans are also confidential, so we can't pass the information you give us onto anyone else you know, and we're non-judgemental, so we won't let our personal opinions influence the conversation, or insist on giving advice that you wouldn't wish to follow.

"It can be quite frightening when you're very emotionally lonely and you can't sleep and you can't call anyone because you don't want to disturb people and worry them. If you called your friends at 3am in the morning, you would worry them and you might annoy them a bit. I don't think my parents could cope with that either. And sometimes parents can't be neutral because they're very involved with you and when you've been ill so long, they may lose patience. It's good to be able to talk to someone who's kind of neutral and not caught up in it all."

Samaritans caller

"I found talking things through very helpful, especially at a time when I had exhausted the ears of friends and family. It was helpful to have someone calm and neutral and there at all times of the day. The troubles and crises you find yourself in, all seem to overwhelm you at a time when a friend or relative would find it inconvenient. Also, sometimes feelings that overwhelm you and seem insurmountable at night, often seem far more copeable in the morning. For that reason, talking to Samaritans is very helpful because they don't continue the problem over the time phase that you need, as a friend might."

Samaritans caller