The Samaritans - has anyone ever talked to them?

iamashoppingaddict

I've had some serious personal issues within my life over the past week or so and although immediate family are being helpful and supportive and I feel like it might be helpful to talk to someone professional.

I thought about Relate but I can't can't afford it (earn too much to be elegiable for free, but also have too many debts!!), and there is a samaritans 10/15 mins walk from where I am.

Just looking for some experiences with them really.....

tayforth

I went to them for the first time 17 days ago about my unhappy marriage, and they were so kind and lovely. You can take as long as you want - I was there for 2 hours the first time, 2.5 hours the next! Thanks to them, I managed to finally face the fact that I was in an emotionally abusive relationship, and pluck up the courage to end it. And I am so grateful.


If you have a spare hour or two, you can read my thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4538789

I would recommend them 100%.

Moggins_2

My mum has volunteered as a Samaritan for about 6 years now. They provide an excellent listening service and work really hard. There's probably nothing they haven't heard before so you should definitely give it a go. You can email them or call them as well as dropping in

iamashoppingaddict

tayforth wrote: »

I went to them for the first time 17 days ago about my unhappy marriage, and they were so kind and lovely. You can take as long as you want - I was there for 2 hours the first time, 2.5 hours the next! Thanks to them, I managed to finally face the fact that I was in an emotionally abusive relationship, and pluck up the courage to end it. And I am so grateful.


If you have a spare hour or two, you can read my thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4538789

I would recommend them 100%.

Thanks Tayforth, I've been following your thread from day one. So pleased for you.

iamashoppingaddict

Moggins wrote: »

My mum has volunteered as a Samaritan for about 6 years now. They provide an excellent listening service and work really hard. There's probably nothing they haven't heard before so you should definitely give it a go. You can email them or call them as well as dropping in

Do the volunteers give advice as well as listening?

tayforth

iamashoppingaddict wrote: »

Thanks Tayforth, I've been following your thread from day one. So pleased for you.

Thank you :A

iamashoppingaddict wrote: »

Do the volunteers give advice as well as listening?

They didn't say 'do this or do that', but they asked me questions, such as, "How do you feel when he does X?" and "Do you feel that you should put up with this treatment?"

They help you to talk (I hadn't spoken to ANYONE before so that in itself helped) and make your own decisions. Sometimes you just need to say out loud what's in your heart and you know instinctively what you need to do.

Moggins_2

Hard to explain but they can't give proper advice as they don't have qualifications they are just volunteers. It's not really the same sort of service to relate, Samaritans are just someone to talk to without prejudice. They aren't "allowed" to interfere with people's lives. Totally different situation but to give an example, if somebody calls them feeling suicidal or who has overdosed etc the Samaritans aren't allowed to call an ambulance or police unless the person calling asks them to. It's part of being a totally impartial service

beautybutterfly

Never spoken to them face to face but emailed them once, felt so good just to get it all out. Got a prompt reply back, very nice, supportive and included some good advice. You've got nothing to lose xx

iamashoppingaddict

Thanks guys xx

tayforth

Let us know how you get on xxx

Person_one

Moggins wrote: »

Hard to explain but they can't give proper advice as they don't have qualifications they are just volunteers.

There are no qualifications required to be a Samaritan, but they are very well trained. The NHS and other charities recognise this and use them a lot, many mental health crisis teams and other helplines refer calls to the Samaritans out of hours.

They can't give advice because that's not what they're there for. They exist to listen, to let you speak and to help you talk through what's bothering you.

I've never called myself, but I've known a lot of people who have found them invaluable.