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Confidentiality
What sort of people contact Bexley &
Dartford Samaritans?
Anyone can contact us. We support people of all ages, from primary
school children upwards. We listen to people from all walks of life who
might be in distress, despair or feeling suicidal.
What sort of problems do they talk about?
We listen to all sorts of problems that might lead to, or cause, someone
to become distressed, despairing or suicidal. Much of what we hear about
is to do with loss: loss through the breakdown of a relationship, loss
or lack of love or friendship, loss through bereavement, loss of
employment, of health, of self-esteem and self-confidence. We hear from
people with mental-health problems, from people who are being bullied,
people who are feeling stressed and anxious, who are worried about
schoolwork and exams, people who have been raped or are being mentally,
physically or sexually abused. Callers who are struggling with drug or
alcohol dependency contact us and so do people who are unsure about
their sexuality. People in prison ring us. The list is truly endless.
What do they all have in common?
They all need someone to talk to in complete confidence, someone who
will listen with an open mind, accept them without prejudice and give
them the time and space to express their feelings and talk through their
options.
Whatever you are going through, whether you think its big or small,
don't bottle it up. Bexley & Dartford Samaritans offers confidential,
non-judgemental support day and night, throughout the year.
Questions and Answers about Contacting
Us
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.
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Do you give advice?
Our volunteers don’t offer advice, because what works for one person
might not work for you. But we believe that given the time and space to
talk through problems or difficulties in confidence, everyone can find
an inner strength that lets them find their own way forward.
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Will you tell anyone about me?
We'll listen to how you feel, no matter what the reason is. We won't
tell you what to do and we won't tell anyone about you or your call
unless that is what you want. You don't even have to tell us your name.
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What if I've done
something illegal, will you tell the police?
No. Everything you say to us is completely confidential. We'll listen
to you and won't judge you. See more about confidential below.
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I'm short of credit on my phone - can you
call me?
We will be happy to call you back if you are willing to give us your
phone number.
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Do I need to make an appointment to see a
Samaritans' volunteer in person?
Bexley & Dartford Samaritans offers a drop-in service for people who
want to speak to one of its volunteers face to face in a quiet, private
space. You don’t need to make an appointment, but it can be helpful to
let us know you are coming in advance, by phoning 020 8301 1010 (please
check you are through to Bexley & Dartford branch as calls get diverted
to other branches when we are busy). In this way we can try to make sure
a volunteer is available to see you when you arrive.
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I'm worried about someone else
If you are worried about the well-being of a friend, relative or
colleague and you think they could benefit from talking to us, then we
may be able to contact them on your behalf.
It is usually better if you allow us to tell them who suggested the
contact although we would never insist on this.
Such contacts are made very sensitively. Because of our strict
confidentiality, we would not be able to provide any feedback regarding
the content of such a call other than to confirm that a contact had been
made.
If you would like to discuss the possibility of Samaritans making
such a contact then please telephone us on 020 8301 1010.
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Confidentiality
Our service is completely confidential. We cannot use 1471 call
tracing so it is impossible for us to identify or locate any caller. Our
email and text services are also completely confidential and anonymous.
Everything a caller says is confidential to Samaritans unless:
- We have informed consent from a caller to pass on information
- We call an ambulance because a caller appears to be incapable of
making rational decisions for him or herself
- We receive a court order requiring us to divulge information
- We are passed information about acts of terrorism or bomb warnings
- A caller attacks or threatens volunteers
- A caller deliberately prevents the service from being delivered to
other callers
Samaritans maintain confidentiality even after the death of a caller.
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