Samaritans
Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, often through its telephone helpline.
They’re here, day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. Samaritans is not only for the moment of crisis, they’re taking action to prevent the crisis. They give people ways to cope and the skills to be there for others. And they encourage, promote and celebrate those moments of connection between people that can save lives. They offer listening and support to people and communities in times of need.
In prisons, schools, hospitals and on the rail network, Samaritans are working with people who are going through a difficult time and training others to do the same.
Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, and Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide.
Contact Samaritans by telephone on 116123 or find more support near you for your mental health & wellbeing in our directory of support services.
Samaritans’ Vision
Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide.
To achieve this, we believe Samaritans has a crucial role to play in:
- Reducing the risk factors that make some people more likely to take their own lives.
- Ensuring that people who are at increased risk of suicide are supported.
- Making it less likely that people who do experience suicidal thoughts act on them.
- Reducing the likelihood that people will develop suicidal thoughts.
Samaritans’ Mission
We’re here every day and night of the year for anyone struggling to cope. We make sure people have somewhere to turn and support when they need it most. We work with communities to let people know we’re here for them and we campaign to make suicide prevention a priority.
Samaritans’ Values
Our support services adapt to the changing environment, but the values at the core of our listening service remain constant:
Listening
Exploring feelings alleviates distress and helps people to reach a better understanding of their situation and the options open to them.
Confidentiality
If people feel safe, they are more likely to be open about their feelings.
Non-judgemental
We want people to be able to talk to us without fear of prejudice or rejection.
People making their own decisions
We believe that people have the right to find their own solution and that telling people what to do takes responsibility away from them.
Human contact
Giving people time, undivided attention and empathy meets a fundamental emotional need and reduces distress and despair.