About Samaritans UK and Ireland

All about the work of Samaritans, the UK and Ireland-based charity. For more information, visit www.samaritans.org

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• samaritans
• charity
• not
• for
• profit

[GraceTheCheez]

:']

[chandal09]

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

[fetusjuice]

@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.

[Gothmummi]

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.

[bermudarailway]

@bus140808 Me too.

[GemTx]

These are real people who care. They will help.

[asda16432]

@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.

[andrew19vato]

@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

[bus140808]

@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]

the samaritians saved my life

[chandal09]

@samaritanscharity

Thank you. Cheers.

[samaritanscharity]

@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'