Our Break the Silence campaign helps let people know that they don’t have to suffer in silence.
Being there to listen when people feel able to break their silence can help them through their darkest moments.
Your support is vital because we know that silence costs lives – but talking about suicidal feelings can stop them.
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.
Francesca
Francesca called Samaritans at Christmas when she felt desperate and didn’t feel she could call any of her friends or family. At first, she hesitated to call Samaritans because she didn’t feel suicidal, but she was immediately put at ease by the Samaritans volunteer she spoke to. Francesca found herself laughing by the end of that call, and it gave her the strength and confidence to find a way forward.
Since then, she has been active in spreading the word about Samaritans because she feels that breaking the silence is the most important thing that anyone can do.
Nick's story
I know from experience that being silent led to some really horrible situations to find myself in. Samaritans are saving people’s lives every day. They’re stopping people getting to the darkest points in their life.
Nick
Nick had been struggling with negative and destructive feelings for some time, but never felt he could open up to friends or family. He finally broke his silence when he contacted Samaritans and making that call probably saved his life. Now he feels more able to talk to his wife and his four sons about his mental health – and theirs – and hopes to encourage more people to break their silence, before it’s too late.
Bella's story
There was one evening things got way too much, I’d had enough, I just wanted to go somewhere, anywhere. And then I phoned the Samaritans. I'm here today because Samaritans was there to listen.
For years, Bella didn’t break her silence because she didn’t believe she would be listened to, or understood. The Samaritans volunteer she spoke to made her feel that her life had value. She says that hearing those words, and believing them, helped give her the confidence to go on. Now a successful motivational speaker, Bella uses her experience to encourage more people to be open and talk about their mental health.
Sarah's story
Suicide happens when people simply can’t cope anymore. It’s not that they haven’t considered the impact on family and friends. It’s just that it’s all become too unbearable. I would encourage anyone who’s feeling that way to try 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.
Sarah was a Samaritans volunteer for four years. She answered calls to the helpline, responded to emails and texts and went out into communities to talk to people face to face. Sarah knows from experience that breaking the silence is important because otherwise people will continue to feel that suicide is the only option. Having a non-judgemental, confidential conversation really does have the power to save lives.
Someone in the UK dies by suicide every 90 minutes. With your help, we can be there to listen to anybody who needs to talk, before it’s too late.
Please show your support for our Break the Silence campaign today and help let more people know that they don’t have to suffer in silence. There is help out there when they’re ready to break their silence – all they have to do is call.
Your gift today will help make sure we’re always there to listen.