Autumn 2024 newsletter

On World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, we joined communities and campaigners across the UK to make one thing clear. Talking about suicide can save lives.

At Samaritans, our vision is that fewer people die by suicide – and, with your support, we do everything in our power to make that vision come true.

As well as spending almost one million hours each year answering calls for help, we show why talking about suicide is so important and try to break through the stigma that can keep people from opening up about how they’re feeling.

We took our message into communities. Across the UK, we shared stories from people who found the strength to talk about suicidal feelings. We gave out information on recognising suicidal thoughts and feelings. And we shared tips on starting a conversation with someone who’s struggling to cope. Through work like this, we can stop people reaching crisis point – and it only happens because of people like you.

Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, and right now suicide rates in England are as high as they were over 20 years ago. Together, we can change that.

Trust your instincts. You could save a life. That was the message shared by Samaritans’ staff and volunteers earlier this year, as the latest phase of our Small Talk Saves Lives campaign reached thousands of people across Great Britain.

The campaign – delivered in partnership with Network Rail, British Transport Police and the wider rail industry – helps people to safely approach others who look like they might be going through a tough time. Highlights this year included our ‘Small Talk Salon’ at London King’s Cross railway station. We know hairdressers and barbers are great places for small talk, so we set up a stage and offered hair and nail treatments to get train travellers talking about the campaign and thinking about ways to start conversations themselves.

Our film was also seen by thousands of people when it was shown on Sky TV and online. The campaign got great media coverage too, online, on the radio, on TV and in print. And our volunteers also spoke to over 3,800 people at special events we organised in railway stations, city centres and universities.

We know a quick chat can make a life-saving difference when people are at their lowest. Now, thanks to you, many more people in England, Scotland and Wales know that as well.

In nearly every prison in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, Listeners like Gaz are trained and supported by volunteers from nearby Samaritans branches. It means that when their peers in prison are struggling, there’s someone nearby who’s ready to listen.

Gaz remembers clearly the first time someone came to him for support in HMP Manchester. It was back in 2018, and he had taken on his new listening role after being encouraged by another Samaritans Listener, who heard Gaz supporting someone in distress.

Like all Samaritans volunteers – in prisons and in our branches – Gaz had spent weeks honing his listening skills in role plays and discussions. He had learned how to sensitively discuss suicide and to help people feel comfortable opening up. Now it was time to put what he had learned into practice. “That call had everything in it that we had learned in training,” Gaz remembers.

But what really sticks in his mind is what happened a few days later, when he next saw the person he had spoken to.

“I held out my hand to handshake him and he just wrapped his arms around me and said, ‘Thank you so much.’ It was then that I realised what Listeners are all about.”

Six years later, Gaz has spoken to countless people in prison. “I am still as committed as ever,” he says. “We all need someone to talk to in our time of need. That’s why I signed up. 24/7, I’m always ready to listen, signpost to support and help a caller through their troubles.”

Many of the people Gaz speaks to are struggling with suicidal feelings. All urgently need to talk and choose to turn to Samaritans. Thanks to Gaz – and thanks to the generosity of supporters like you – their calls for help are heard.

I would say I’ve got two parts of my life – life when I had my sight and then life after losing it, around 15 years ago. After it happened, I was angry. Angry with myself, with my family and friends, with anyone who showed me sympathy or empathy.

But my partner, Sarah, was amazing. She supported me through everything. And I remember sitting down with Sarah and talking about what I’m good at, what I could offer. I can listen. I’m quite a good talker. I’ve lived a varied life. And that’s where Samaritans comes in. It seemed like it could be a good volunteering opportunity based on my skillset.

My local branch in Worthing held an open evening and I went along. I was very nervous and expected to be rejected. But all of the volunteers were amazing. I felt like I wouldn’t be able to volunteer. But they said, ‘Absolutely you can’. They made it so I could volunteer – and it’s an incredibly positive environment to be in.

Making a new start

The branch has helped to nurture me and rediscover myself. When I passed the training, I felt a huge sense of achievement. I hadn’t had that for a good few years. And then you get on the phone and hear people’s stories. It’s a great leveller, and slightly put what I had been through into perspective.

Being a Samaritan has helped me grow as a person. Listening to callers’ stories can break your heart, but when you hear that you’ve made a difference, that’s so rewarding. And with all of these amazing volunteers around you, being part of Samaritans really is like having a second family.

Around 23,000 people volunteered for Samaritans in 2023. Thank you for giving people like Mark the training and support to thrive.

A Samaritans Eternal Star Tribute Fund is an online place where you can keep the memory of a loved one alive by sharing memories and photos, lighting virtual candles and giving virtual gifts. You can donate to Samaritans in memory of your loved one too, so our volunteers can always be there to answer calls for help. As Kerry explains here, setting up an Eternal Star Fund has become a cherished way for her to remember her grandad Ken while also supporting others.

“It's been a fitting tribute.”

It was a Saturday when we were waiting for Ken, my husband’s grandad, to arrive for lunch. This is a man who is never late, so when he didn’t arrive, we knew something was wrong. A short while after, we learnt that he had taken his own life.

There were no obvious and outwards signs of depression, illness or anything that suggested he was struggling. We just wished he’d talked to someone about what he was going through.

The experience showed me that suicide can affect anyone, and since that day I’ve wanted to raise awareness of Samaritans as they are available 24/7, 365 days of the year, and will always be there for you.

I would encourage anyone thinking of setting up an Eternal Star Fund for Samaritans to do it. It has been really comforting to know that the money is going towards helping others. And having somewhere to upload personal favourite photos and writing little bits about them so you and the family can see… As time goes on, you will cherish that fund.

To speak to our In Memory team about our Eternal Star Tribute Funds, please call free on 03709 00 00 32 or read more here. Thank you.

I did a tour of Afghanistan and tour of Iraq, before eventually leaving the Army in 2006. A lot of the experiences I had were around civilian casualties. I was a different person when I came back.

I didn’t feel like I fitted in. It felt quite dark. I didn’t understand why I was feeling that way. I used drink to help with my sleep issues. Within a year of being back, I couldn’t cope with things and one day tried to take my own life.

It takes a lot – especially for people from my background – to admit you’re struggling and reach out for help. But Samaritans are there to listen and being able to sound off to someone is good. They offered a lot of hope.

I spoke to some amazing people at Samaritans. It’s proper help, I suppose. It’s a safety net when you fall, rather than anything glamourous. It’s honest help. Volunteers aren’t getting paid. They’re there because they want to be, and in my eyes that’s real charity. It comes from a place of kindness.

The bravest thing you’ll ever do is ask for help. If you can ring Samaritans, nobody’s going to know about it. Somebody who has volunteered their time will be there.

Here for everyone at risk

Your support means we can do more to reach people who may be at higher risk of suicide – including people in the Armed Forces, veterans and their families. Find out more about how we can help in the military and Armed Forces Community.

Work like this is only possible because of people like you. Thanks so much for being with us.

Samaritans was the official Charity of the Year at the 2024 TCS London Marathon – and we had one huge day in the capital. Just under 500 people ran for us – in London and by joining the virtual event across the UK. 300 loud and proud volunteers cheered our runners every step of the way. We reached millions of people through all our London Marathon activity. And we raised more than £1.1m – an incredible total.

Emma was one of our unstoppable runners. This is her story.

Lockdown was hard for me. I felt stuck and lost. I was in a relationship that wasn’t good for me. I felt like I was drowning. I was scared and contemplating ending my life. That was when I called Samaritans.

The volunteer let me cry and asked all the right questions without pushing me. She was unbelievable – so kind and patient. She talked to me until I felt truly safe to put down the phone. To this day I’m so appreciative of that volunteer. She saved my life.

Since then, I’m doing so much better. I got a new job, reconnected with friends, got in a new relationship – and I joined #TeamSamaritans to run the marathon. It showed me how strong I really am. I wanted to raise as much money as possible for this incredible charity that saves lives every single day. It saved mine.

To everyone who took part in our marathon journey in any way, thank you so much.

Find out how to take on your own unforgettable challenge for Samaritans

Take on our 5km Dawn Walk 2024 with #TeamSamaritans this October and discover the magic of early morning while helping our volunteers answer more calls for help. Every call could save a life.

“It was an extraordinary start to the day. We all have personal experience of the impact of mental health struggles. As the sun rose, we all felt very emotional.” - 2022 Dawn Walk participant

Find out more and enter