Frequent Questions

How much does it cost to call Samaritans?

Calls are charged at a local rate for landline numbers. The cost of a mobile phone call varies according to your network provider.

 

Can I get in touch with Samaritans?

Anyone in distress can contact Samaritans at any time of the day. Samaritans are contacted every 7 seconds, by phone, by email, by letter or by people coming into our branches. People of all backgrounds and ages contact us for emotional support.

Common reasons to call Samaritans are:

• Relationship and family problems
• Loss, including loss of a job, a friend or a family member through bereavement
• Financial worries
• Job-related stress or overwork
• College or study related stress.

If you think you might benefit from confidential emotional support then we are here for you. You do not have to be suicidal to contact us. We will not judge you if you call.

We understand that sometimes it can feel difficult to pick up the telephone, so try an email or write a letter to us instead. Sometimes writing down your thoughts can really help understand them better.

 

"I would tell anyone to call Samaritans because they've always helped me and you haven't got anything to lose. If they don't help you, it's just a phone call, you don't have to tell anyone that you've called them and it's all anonymous. It's worth a try. Even if you aren't on the point of killing yourself, you can still be going through immense pain and distress- almost unbearable - and Samaritans are fantastic at easing your pain."

Samaritans caller

 

What happens if the phone is engaged when someone tries to call?

Calls to the national helpline number go to the nearest branch of Samaritans across the UK and Republic of Ireland. If it is engaged the call will be directly routed to another branch so that the caller does not get the engaged tone.

Many branches also offer a local number and if this is engaged, the call will be routed to another branch.

 

Shouldn’t I talk to friends and family instead?

Some people do not have the support of friends or family. Others do but find that talking to someone neutral can be beneficial.

 

"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

 

I’m under 18. Will you tell my parents/guardians I contacted you?

Confidentiality of calls is always respected regardless of the age of the caller. The volunteer’s primary responsibility is to you, not your parents or guardians. Please note that if you call us from your home phone, Samaritans’ telephone number will appear on an itemised telephone bill.

 

Are you confidential?

We do not trace calls or use technology to identify telephone numbers. Volunteers are unable to see senders’ email addresses when they reply. Everything 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