You can call our free helpline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To speak to a trained Samaritans volunteer, call us free, day or night, on 116 123. We’re here to listen without judgement or pressure. If you’re finding things tough, you don’t have to face it alone.
For more information on the closure of our email service, including and how to access other sources of support, please see below.
Talk to us on the phone
Find out more about what happens when you call
Other sources of support
Discover other organisations offering support
When did Samaritans close its email service?
We closed our our email service in the UK on 30 September 2026. If you email us you'll receive an automated email response, encouraging you to call Samaritans free on 116 123.
We removed the email address from our website and materials and have asked other organisations to stop advertising it.
Why did Samaritans close its email service?
We've closed our email service so that we can focus on providing immediate support to anyone in crisis through our 24-hour telephone helpline. We also want to extend the opening hours of our online chat service, which is in high demand but is currently only available during limited hours.
The decision to close the email service wasn't taken lightly and we know that for many, the email service provided hope and a listening ear in difficult times. But the way people use technology is changing and we want to make sure our services are fit for today’s world and the future. When someone is in crisis, we can't provide immediate support by email, but through phone and online chat we can be there for someone in the moment they need us most.
That’s why we're focusing on providing our 24/7 telephone helpline and expanding our online chat service – because these services offer immediate support from trained Samaritans volunteers.
Are there other organisations that can support me?
We have a list of other organisations that can offer support, with information about the type of support they offer, who they can support and when they are open:
You can also visit Hub of Hope to find other services that can support you.
How can I speak to a trained Samaritans volunteer?
Find out what to expect when you call Samaritans, in this short video:
Samaritans volunteers are always here to listen. You can call us free, day or night, on 116 123. Our trained volunteers are here to listen without judgement or pressure. If you’re finding things tough, you don’t have to face it alone.
We won’t judge you or tell you what to do, we’ll listen.