What happens when I contact Samaritans?

A trained Samaritans volunteer will answer and give you the chance to talk about what’s happening in your life and how that is affecting you. Samaritans volunteers are trained in many of the same techniques as professional counsellors, but they won’t judge you or tell you what to do.

By listening and asking questions, the volunteer will help you explore your feelings and work out the way forward. The volunteer will often ask if you are feeling suicidal. This doesn’t mean that you must be suicidal to contact us but we always ask because it can be a huge relief for someone to admit how bad they are really feeling.

You can talk to Samaritans for as long as you want and you needn’t tell us your name or any personal details at all if you don’t want to.

"I really liked the way the woman dealt with my problems. She was very calm and did not judge. She seemed to understand and appeared generally interested and sympathetic with my state. I like the way you deal with things in a personal and anonymous way, as it is very difficult for me to talk about my ongoing depression, but I never feel pressured to do so or say anything I am not happy revealing."

Samaritans caller

"It is like a sort of safety blanket to me, as I know that I can always talk to someone who is not connected to anything and will not pre-judge me or the situation I am in. The time I contacted Samaritans was when I had all my family around me, was in a loving environment and was completely 'safe'. However, sometimes this can be the most lonely time. I am just so glad my mother gave me Samaritans number; otherwise I don't know what would have happened."

Samaritans caller