Meet the people that have been helped by Samaritans. These stories are real reminders that, step-by-step, we all have what it takes to overcome what’s troubling us.
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Meet Ella: “My raison d'etre is to listen”
When Ella lost her cousin to suicide, it bought to the surface her desire to help and she became a Samaritans listening volunteer.
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Declan’s story
"I would really encourage people to do STEP training with Samaritans. It teaches you how to fully listen, so you understand what someone is saying and can communicate to them that you understand."
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Nick's story
"Samaritans are saving people’s lives every day. They’re stopping people getting to the darkest points in their life."
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Sarah's story
"I would encourage anyone who’s struggling not to feel ashamed because it’s OK not to be OK. There is support out there if you feel able to reach out for it."
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Bella's story
"I'm here today because Samaritans was there to listen."
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Francesca's story
"Samaritans don't try to tell you what to do. They speak to you in the here and now and just remind you, really, that life can just be normal again."
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Meet Elsa: "No one should ever feel so negatively about themselves that they believe they deserve to hurt themselves."
Elsa shares her experience with self-harm and how she creates a positive online environment for support.
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Meet Faye: " Talking about things can help find the answers you're looking for."
Faye struggled with self-harm from the age of 13. With support from Samaritans, Faye found a new perspective.
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Meet Roxy. “I have no shame that Samaritans were there for me at a difficult time."
Reaching her lowest, Roxy called Samaritans. Years later in 2021, after a close friend took her life during the pandemic, Roxy signed up to be a listening volunteer.