this video made me cry. i've had more good calls than bad. one bad one was a man who proceeded to tell me all about his divorce. which i didnt need at the time! but generall they've been brilliant.
Unfortunately, my experience with Samaritans has not been positive. It hasn't helped me writing to them, it's been useless. it's been like writing on a wall or talking to myself. I've sent them many messages but they've always answered to me with questions, often the same ones. I sometimes even thought I was actually writing to a robot long messages and have often had the sensation that I was wasting my time. Initially, they insisted on saying their service was more suitable for suicidal people
Initially, they insisted on saying their service was more suitable for suicidal people and I was probably addressing to the wrong people. Later, they invited me to write to them everytime I felt the need. After this long letter exchange, I ABSOLUTELY HAVE NOTHING POSITIVE TO SAY ABOUT THEM and I feel bad thinking about the time I've wasted. I guess they've prepared a couple of prefixed sentences and automatically sent them to me everytime I contacted them. VERY SAD AND DEPRESSING.
@chandal09 - I'm sorry you have had a negative experience with Samaritans. If you would like to tell Samaritans more about your experience, please visit Samaritans' website and search for 'complaint'
@chandal09 The reason for this is because the samaritans are NOT COUNCILLORS, they are a voluntary group of people who are there to LISTEN to people whoi are experienciung difficult feelings in their life, and they believe in being non judgemental towards the people they talk to, and for this reason they will not tell you something like "right, you need to get your act together" or "ok I think that you should do this" etc. The samaritans will ONLY LISTEN to what you have to say
@andrew19vato The kind of listening that helps ppl who are hurting is active listening. Active listening will include empathic responding as well as listening, so the person feels heard and understood. Some Samaritan volunteers are very good at this, some not so good. To be fair to Samaritans, I think they try hard to recruit the right people and train them well, and the ppl answering the phones are all volunteers, not paid, and working all kinds of hours including night shifts.
@chandal09 They're not an advice giving organization. They don't answer questions. They exist for someone to talk to and vent out their problems, not flip a switch and fix them.
I called Samaritans over 80 times in a month... they were the most perfect response to my emotional difficulties... I love the Samaritans... to sit on the line and hear what troubled souls have to say... is a wonderful gift to us... thank you Samaritans... you set the standard... thank you so much...
@fairhillnorrie you just got to learn to enjoy the moment if you do that i.e learn to live constantly in the present and enjoy everything that happens when it happens it will be alot easier not better but easier.
i have spoken to them a number of time.. yes they can't give advice but they never judged me, or told me what to do... they were just there for me. and that all i wanted :')
While I have never helped a depressed person I do charity work. At financial loss and my own expense I teach chess to children. My thanks? So far I have been banned for life from three libraries and received a $500 fine for "Offering Chess Lessons without a Permit."
I am reconsidering my charity work. as I have no doubt, if I am being treated this poorly now, that in my time of need I will be left to starve to death. I need to make as much money and be selfish as possible now don't I
sometimes it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel and the only thing keeping you going can be that the light is simply there although you can not see it, its just a long cold walk down a dark tunnel untill you reach it
I'm a UK Funeral Director and working at the worst time of year for suicide, it's victims and the families of its victims. Many of my lost suffered in silence and spoke to no one - thus leaving shock and devastation to those they left behind . . .
Samaritans . . . Remember these guys and talk about them to friends. Non judgemental and so confidential. Actually a bloody good bunch of guys... and girls ! As the song says - "Everybody hurts - Sometimes"
@CLASSICALJAJ Is the worst time of the year for suicide christmas? Cos my friend is a train driver and he said that at christmas they get alot of jumpers
My best friend commited suicide by hanging himself. It hurts me everyday. Like you say its the people left behind.
this video made me cry. i've had more good calls than bad. one bad one was a man who proceeded to tell me all about his divorce. which i didnt need at the time! but generall they've been brilliant.
Gothmummi 1 month ago
These are real people who care. They will help.
GemTx 3 months ago
the samaritians saved my life
bus140808 9 months ago
@bus140808 Me too.
bermudarailway 2 months ago
Unfortunately, my experience with Samaritans has not been positive. It hasn't helped me writing to them, it's been useless. it's been like writing on a wall or talking to myself. I've sent them many messages but they've always answered to me with questions, often the same ones. I sometimes even thought I was actually writing to a robot long messages and have often had the sensation that I was wasting my time. Initially, they insisted on saying their service was more suitable for suicidal people
chandal09 10 months ago 6
@chandal09
Initially, they insisted on saying their service was more suitable for suicidal people and I was probably addressing to the wrong people. Later, they invited me to write to them everytime I felt the need. After this long letter exchange, I ABSOLUTELY HAVE NOTHING POSITIVE TO SAY ABOUT THEM and I feel bad thinking about the time I've wasted. I guess they've prepared a couple of prefixed sentences and automatically sent them to me everytime I contacted them. VERY SAD AND DEPRESSING.
chandal09 10 months ago 5
@chandal09 - I'm sorry you have had a negative experience with Samaritans. If you would like to tell Samaritans more about your experience, please visit Samaritans' website and search for 'complaint'
samaritanscharity 9 months ago
@samaritanscharity
Thank you. Cheers.
chandal09 9 months ago
@chandal09 The reason for this is because the samaritans are NOT COUNCILLORS, they are a voluntary group of people who are there to LISTEN to people whoi are experienciung difficult feelings in their life, and they believe in being non judgemental towards the people they talk to, and for this reason they will not tell you something like "right, you need to get your act together" or "ok I think that you should do this" etc. The samaritans will ONLY LISTEN to what you have to say
andrew19vato 6 months ago
@andrew19vato The kind of listening that helps ppl who are hurting is active listening. Active listening will include empathic responding as well as listening, so the person feels heard and understood. Some Samaritan volunteers are very good at this, some not so good. To be fair to Samaritans, I think they try hard to recruit the right people and train them well, and the ppl answering the phones are all volunteers, not paid, and working all kinds of hours including night shifts.
asda16432 4 months ago
@chandal09 They're not an advice giving organization. They don't answer questions. They exist for someone to talk to and vent out their problems, not flip a switch and fix them.
fetusjuice 4 weeks ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I called Samaritans over 80 times in a month... they were the most perfect response to my emotional difficulties... I love the Samaritans... to sit on the line and hear what troubled souls have to say... is a wonderful gift to us... thank you Samaritans... you set the standard... thank you so much...
dudemusicspace 10 months ago
Comment removed
dudemusicspace 10 months ago
@fairhillnorrie you just got to learn to enjoy the moment if you do that i.e learn to live constantly in the present and enjoy everything that happens when it happens it will be alot easier not better but easier.
hideHYDEimcoming 1 year ago
I have a huge amount of respect for the Samaritans volunteers. Their work is vital.
WORLD8NSH5KNIGHT1 1 year ago
i have spoken to them a number of time.. yes they can't give advice but they never judged me, or told me what to do... they were just there for me. and that all i wanted :')
jenzxrawr 1 year ago
While I have never helped a depressed person I do charity work. At financial loss and my own expense I teach chess to children. My thanks? So far I have been banned for life from three libraries and received a $500 fine for "Offering Chess Lessons without a Permit."
I am reconsidering my charity work. as I have no doubt, if I am being treated this poorly now, that in my time of need I will be left to starve to death. I need to make as much money and be selfish as possible now don't I
georgegrasser 1 year ago
Comment removed
georgegrasser 1 year ago
sad
Apink420 1 year ago
the other emergency service for me.i suffer from bipolar and these guys do help believe me. thankyou for being there
Gazzthemightyarseole 1 year ago
sometimes it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel and the only thing keeping you going can be that the light is simply there although you can not see it, its just a long cold walk down a dark tunnel untill you reach it
pinball281 2 years ago 2
I'm a UK Funeral Director and working at the worst time of year for suicide, it's victims and the families of its victims. Many of my lost suffered in silence and spoke to no one - thus leaving shock and devastation to those they left behind . . .
Samaritans . . . Remember these guys and talk about them to friends. Non judgemental and so confidential. Actually a bloody good bunch of guys... and girls ! As the song says - "Everybody hurts - Sometimes"
Be safe everyone . . and talk x
CLASSICALJAJ 2 years ago 5
@CLASSICALJAJ Is the worst time of the year for suicide christmas? Cos my friend is a train driver and he said that at christmas they get alot of jumpers
My best friend commited suicide by hanging himself. It hurts me everyday. Like you say its the people left behind.
bus140808 9 months ago
respect. great people
secretlad 2 years ago 2
Thank you...
=)
Jayveeeeee 2 years ago
The Samaritans, you never really appreciate what they do till you need their help. Thank you.
me282uk 3 years ago 3
:']
GraceTheCheez 3 years ago 7