The Samaritans - has anyone ever talked to them?

an9i77

I have in the past used the counselling service affiliated to charities associated with whatever I am going through. eg - anxiety problems - MIND. Physical health problems due to diabetes -diabetes uk. More recently problems at work due to pregnancy - maternity action.

Not used samaritans myself so can't give a view on them, but if you're looking more for advice/counselling this can be a way to accesss it for free.

System

Used them twice. First time i emailed them, that was kind of good for me as i've always found it easier to write stuff down, they replied pretty quick and it made me feel better.

The second time i rang them when suicidal, really more needed someone to listen but he insisted he couldn't do anything and that i should just go to A+E. I appreciated they maybe weren't the most appropriate people to call but its always been advised. Think i would stick to email personally if i ever needed to talk again.

julie03

my son is in year six at primary and has always had problems with homework, his school says to do the allocated time and stop, if its not finished he still hands it in, otherwise we could be there over 2 hours sometimes with literacy, maths isnt so bad.

Money_maker

This is the Samaritans thread, julie03, not homework!

marisco_2

I contacted the Samaritans a few years back when I was going through a very difficult time in my life. The person I spoke to was superb and really helped me. To this day I put those meetings down to part of the reason why I am still here now, happier and stronger than ever.

The incredible work they do and support they give is so valuable to so many and I highly recommend them.

any_name_will_suffice

I phoned the samaritans once, about 8 years ago.

It was a few days before I was diagnosed with depression. It was about 3am, and I was sitting in my car in a supermarket car park. I hadn't slept for several nights because I couldn't, and I was beside myself with crying, anxiety and paranoia, and I was terrified.

The person I spoke to suggested I went home and had some sleep. I found that incredibly unhelpful. It would probably have been more appropriate to suggest I take myself to A&E. When I rang, I think I just wanted to keep talking to someone until I felt calmer.

With hindsight, the samaritans probably weren't the best place to call, as xxMessedUpxx said, but it was the only place I had ever heard of calling.

Person_one

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

Used them twice. First time i emailed them, that was kind of good for me as i've always found it easier to write stuff down, they replied pretty quick and it made me feel better.

The second time i rang them when suicidal, really more needed someone to listen but he insisted he couldn't do anything and that i should just go to A+E. I appreciated they maybe weren't the most appropriate people to call but its always been advised. Think i would stick to email personally if i ever needed to talk again.

They are exactly the right people to call if you're feeling suicidal!

Sorry you got one who didn't seem to know what he was doing. There are so many of them up and down the country I suppose some must be better than others, inevitably.

C_Mababejive

I am lost as to the point of phoning up someone only for them to listen and hum and had every now and again without providing any useful input. I might as well talk to my Teddy !

ognum

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I am lost as to the point of phoning up someone only for them to listen and hum and had every now and again without providing any useful input. I might as well talk to my Teddy !

You don't have to understand, it's a clear indication you dont need the help and also dont understand the role of a questioning listener.

Its important for people to make their own decisions about their own lives and having someone to talk issues through with how asks open questions and is non judgemental is proven to be helpful to many people.

I am not a Sam but do volunteer for a bereavement charity and have undertaken a long and hard training. Listening is an important skill, I suggest that for one day or just a few hours you try to let people make their own choices and don't jump in and say what you would do and how you would do it.

Listening skills can be used in your relationships with your own family and friends and you will get much closer to their hopes and fears. Better to listen to someone else than your own voice!

C_Mababejive

OK so scenario city..
Im a single male,,,ive developed mental health issues and have now lost my job. My wife has kicked me out because she cannot endure my presence on the family home any more. She has got legal aid and had me booted out.

Im wandering the streets,dirty,unshaven,cold and hungry. Its been like this for months now and at night, i just curl up out of the way somewhere and try not to freeze to death. Ive reached the point where i think it would be best to kill myself. No one cares,no one will help.

I ring the samaritans and tell them all about it. How cold,hungry and desperate i am

Samaritan.. humm

Me..im starving,the last thing i ate was two days ago when i dipped a half eaten sandwich from a bin

Samaritan ..yes,i see

Me..im frozen to death. All i have is my clothes and an old coat. Im sleeping in a derelict house fully of druggies. They beat me and robbed me

Samaritan.. yes, i understand..hummm....


See what i mean??