Have you ever called Samaritans?
 

If it’s something you’re open to talking about, let’s hear about your experiences with them and de-stigmatise calling them (some people see it as a last-resort helpline for people who are suicidal only, not knowing it’s there for everyone):

I personally haven't.

Fair play to people that have, I wouldn't knock anyone for using them for help.

They are there for a reason, and sometimes they will be the only people someone could open up to..A vital service for the young imo..

Just dont abuse it though.

Never had the need to.
A friend of mine went through a period of needing them in her youth.
Fantastic organisation.

Never needed to, but i greatly admire what they do

been pretty close having watched the last 4 England games

That’s what happens when you don’t defer to your own country for national representation. England is not Scotland.

Redway don't try to discuss football :joker:

No I haven't.

I have recommended others to do so however when they wouldn't open up on worries or pressures they had personally.
I know of several people who have been more able to cope after talking to them.

They are an incredible organisation.

I'm one of the 2 who have answered yes on the poll. I'm curious as to who the other one was?

I have not called them. One of my friends volunteers for them. They are a wonderful organisation.

There’s a similar helpline called Shout (’phone-no. 85258) that’s a text-line but unlike Samaritans they’re not truly 24/7 and the quality of volunteers varies from great to totally inexperienced. Most Samaritans are trained to be at least alright. Some are obviously better (or at least more compatible with certain people) than others but the bar’s invariably higher than it is with Shout, and unlike Shout, Samaritans volunteers don’t need to conform their responses to a scrip. and can actually reflect on their own experiences and all-in-all just remind you that you’re talking to a live, real person. So even if you’re the sort of person who prefers texting/writing to talking, I’d still preferentially recommend Samaritans. Shout has its place but compared to Samaritans not much of a place. It’s like moclobemide vs. phenelzine.

:joker:

And don't forget the France and Belgium match, which was quite possibly the worst Football match of all time.:laugh:

Truly wonderful indeed.

What do we all think of their self-determination policy, when it does come to suicide?

What does that policy mean?

I dunno man, im so fcking wrecked rn. I can hit Rocky 4 montage and hit weights, but rn im actually drowning in addiction, regret, reflection and all that fcking bollocks.

Why do you ask the weirdest questions?!!!

Samaritans is completely anonymous so unless you volunteer revealing information, there’s nothing Samaritans can do about you swallowing a month’s supply of amitriptyline or saying you’re about to jump off a bridge. They won’t know your name, they don’t know your number, they don’t know where you’re calling from. They really only know and have the ability to act on what you tell them.

They’d obviously rather you didn’t go through with it but if your mind’s set and you’ve decided that you want your last conversation to be with a Samaritan, there’s nothing they can do if you don’t want them to help you. Self-determination within Samaritans means that you ultimately have the right to take your own life and that’s the bottom-line. And you’re well-within your rights to torture a volunteer by making them listen to you jump, hang or swallow.

You could’ve just … not answered. Not if you haven’t got anything relevant to say.

That's cool

Starting with me again, are you? What now?

Seriously, what now?

Oh, you really have been drinking like that, yh?

I think it would be imo valuable for The Samaritans to make it that the caller has to at least give their name, so that they have a better chance of tracking the caller, if the caller is trying to kill themselves.

The caller can easily give a fake name, and in fairness that’s just fine, too.

Like I said, they believe in self-determination so because of that they can’t track you down even if they really want to unless you want them to. The only time they really have to step in and try and get support from an external body is when there’s a safeguarding risk involving a minor or a particularly vulnerable adult. Otherwise it’s just their policy to respect even the decision of a caller to take their own life, even if they were able to track you down. You’d have to tell them you wanted an ambulance calling for you (or something) if you did want help but, again, you’d have to give them the details. But the whole point of Samaritans is that it’s a completely anonymous sounding board there for when you need it so they couldn’t force you to give your name/real name in any case. So you really can’t be identified if you don’t want to be found. That’s part of their ethos.

Fair enough, I suppose that particular policy does help them attract more people wanting to use their service.

Yeah, I suppose. It’s just a policy they have. The extent to-which I agree with their self-determination policy I don’t know but ultimately if someone’s feeling suicidal (with a relatively clear mind, not as a result of, say, psychotic depression), I’d put more faith in Samaritans than a helpline like Shout (85258) if I was to sign-post someone. That Shout text-line is terrible.

It was me. I’ll be candid.

Never called them as wouldn't feel comfortable talking over the phone, but I did use there texting service before they got rid of it and I found it really helped me, it's a shame they don't do it anymore

Ah wonder if there's an alternative service that uses texting.

Think there is, will have a look online

Here Kev....

Here's a breakdown of text-based counselling services:
Crisis Support:
Shout: A UK-based service that provides 24/7, free, confidential text support for individuals in crisis. You can text "SHOUT" to 85258.
Anna Freud AFC Crisis Messenger: Another UK service offering 24/7 crisis support via text. Text "AFC" to 85258.
Crisis Text Line (US): Text "HOME" to 741741 in the US for 24/7, free, and confidential support.

Amazing, there's so much help out there, Thanks for sending those on Kate

Just been reading back through this thread Kev. The shout text line has been mentioned and doesn't sound very professional. Maybe try the other one....the Anna Freud one.

…:hug:..

It’s important to remember that you can always switch things up if the volunteer you’re on the ’phone with doesn’t vibe with you enough (and/or vice-versa). Obviously, be on your Ps and Qs, because there’s always a relatively polite way of ending the call, but don’t feel like you have to stay talking just-because. You don’t, and sometimes it can take a few tries to finally be connected with the right person but it’s totally worth it.

I'll second this. The time I rang my first respondent was a bit detached, no warmth or anything, I found it off putting but I wound up the call respectfully and tried again. Vast improvement. I know they have to be impartial, that wasn't it though, she just seemed uninterested. The second one, a guy, was amazing.

Absolutely. Sometimes the volunteers aren’t even bad in terms of expressing sympathy. You just might not vibe as much as you’d like to for any number of reasons. One big put-off for me is someone who doesn’t talk enough. I definitely understand, value and appreciate the power and depth of quiet listening but I still need enough of a two-way conversation. When it’s just the volunteer “hmm”-ing at the other end and not reflecting enough on their experiences, when it’s appropriate and the cap fits (I know they’re technically not supposed to tell you stuff about themselves but when it’s appropriate and relevant to the context, it does add another layer of resonance), chances are it’s not going to be a long conversation.

Tragically there are some that never give any warning to what they are going to do
My partners cousin has just lost their 14 year old girl, she hung herself in her bedroom as was found by her mum

I think it’s fair to say that I value reciprocity and resonance. In a nutshell.

That's terrible. I'm so sorry Sheriff. Devastating.

That’s horrible. Can’t imagine what that family’s going through.