Samaritans is a well-known UK-based charity dedicated to preventing suicide and supporting people experiencing emotional distress, despair, or suicidal thoughts. It provides confidential, non-judgmental emotional support to anyone who needs someone to talk to, regardless of their situation.
History
Samaritans was founded in 1953 by Rev. Chad Varah, a Church of England vicar in London. The idea came after a tragic experience involving a young person who had taken their own life, prompting Varah to create a dedicated helpline for people contemplating suicide. It began as a simple telephone service (initially nicknamed “999 for the suicidal”) from a church in the City of London. The name “Samaritans” quickly caught on after media coverage.
The organization grew rapidly: within 10 years, there were around 40 branches, and today there are over 200 branches across the UK (including Great Britain) and Ireland. It has always emphasized being non-political, non-religious, and accessible to all. Over its 70+ years, Samaritans has responded to more than 134 million calls for help.
Services
The core of Samaritans’ work is listening. Key ways to contact them include:
- Phone: Call 116 123 (free from any phone in the UK and Ireland) — available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Email: jo@samaritans.org
- Letter or in-person visits to local branches (where available)
- Other options like SMS in some cases, plus specialist services (e.g., Welsh language support)
Trained volunteers provide empathetic listening without giving advice, directing people, or judging. The focus is on helping people feel heard and less isolated, which can reduce the risk of suicide.Beyond direct support, Samaritans:
- Campaigns for better suicide prevention
- Works on research and policy
- Partners with organizations (e.g., Premier League initiatives like “Together Against Suicide”)
- Runs awareness efforts to encourage open conversations about mental health
Organization and Impact
- It’s a registered charity (number 219432 in England & Wales, SC040604 in Scotland).
- Headquartered in Ewell, Surrey.
- Relies heavily on volunteers (around 23,000), who contribute over 1 million hours annually.
- It coordinates a network of branches while maintaining a central organization.
Samaritans’ vision is straightforward: fewer people die by suicide. They highlight that every life lost is a tragedy, and their motto emphasizes being there “every hour, every day, every life.”
Official website: www.samaritans.org
If you’re in crisis or just need to talk, they’re there — no matter what you’re going through.