Our Callers

What sort of people contact Samaritans?

Anyone, of any age, from any walk of life, from primary-school children upwards, who might be in distress, despair or feeling suicidal.

What sort of problems do they talk about?

Anything that might lead someone to feel distressed, despairing or suicidal. Much of what we hear about is to do with loss: loss through the breakdown of a relationship, loss or lack of love or friendship, loss through bereavement, loss of employment, of health, of self-esteem and self-confidence. We hear from people with mental-health problems, from people who are being bullied, people who are feeling stressed and anxious, who are worried about schoolwork and exams, people who have been raped or are being mentally, physically or sexually abused. Callers who are struggling with drug or alcohol dependency contact us and so do people who are unsure about their sexuality. People in prison ring us. The list could go on and on.

What do they all have in common?

They all need someone to talk to in complete confidence, who will listen with an open mind, accept them without prejudice and give them time and space to express their feelings and talk through their options.

TALKING CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!