The Samaritans

Zipz

I've never had much confidence in The Samaritans but I've felt so anxious and distressed here alone today that I thought I'd give them a go. The volunteer did not introduce herself. In the brief time I tried to communicate all she could say was "wow" and "gosh". I feel worse for phoning them.

Catherine21

Can totally relate zipz i think they can only listen its very overwelming when your feeling so distressed and your seeking comfort i always want them to take my feelings away from me i go into blind panic just remember this shall pass i know at the time its horrendous but try to breath regulate if you can we all umderstand and we are defiently hear for you i called anxiety uk i think thier called the guy was so kind big hugs

Holly_Scope

@Zipz I'm really sorry to read that they weren't very helpful. I've always heard positive things about them previously in general. I can imagine if you're feeling a bit lonely, and you're looking for a bit of advice, reassurance, and someone to talk to, the odd word here and there just doesn't do it.

Hopefully we can cheer you up a bit on here! 😊

Littlefatfriend

It's an anonymous service by design Zipz. Neither caller nor volunteers are meant to identify themselves.

In the circumstances I think that's for the best.

They also don't offer advice of any sort. That would be all sorts of complicated in phone calls and they aren't professional experts in that role.

"Their service is designed as a safe, confidential space to talk, where trained volunteers listen to your concerns and help you explore your feelings without judgment or telling you what to do. They focus on listening rather than offering opinions or solutions." All day, every day.

Often that's essentially what psychiatrists do too. They just have more information available about their clients and are trained to help guide people to their own solutions. They also often meet the clients repeatedly, which changes things a lot.

I'm sorry you didn't find them helpful and I haven't used any of these services, but they may be better alternatives than The Samaritans for your purposes:

• Anxiety UK: Call 03444 775 774 (Mon-Fri 9:30am-5:30pm) or text 07537 416905 for support.

• No Panic: Offers a daily helpline (10am–10pm) at 0300 772 9844, and a 24-hour crisis line at 01952 680835.

• SANEline: Specialist emotional support and information (4:30pm–10pm daily) at 0300 304 7000.

• Mind Infoline: Provides information and support (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm) at 0300 102 1234.

CALM.com: Offers support via phone (0800 58 58 58) and webchat, 5pm–midnight daily.

Good luck

😺

Santosha12

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1115581#Comment_1115581

I agree;

@Zipz I would say please don't feel you cannot ring back. Although Littlefatfriend is correct, some are more 'accomplished' at being able to probe - without giving advice - but that can help a caller to feel more heard and express and explore their feelings more fully. And that can help. They can also give their first name.

Zipz

Thank you everybody. I phoned the Samaritans again and spoke with a delightful volunteer: empathetic and intelligent.

Santosha12

Thank you for letting us know @Zipz. Take good care and I hope you get some good rest tonight.

luvpink

@Zipz

I am pleased to hear you a good empathetic volunteer.

I hope you are feeling better

Positive vibes to you.

Take care.💕

StarryEyed

Thinking of you 🕯️

Bluebell21

I am glad you phoned back @Zipz and got a more understanding volunteer. I hope this has helped you.

Take care.

Annabelle26

I used the Samaritans last year & found them really helpful. I felt really down & maybe suicidal after being bombarded with several pieces of bad news within a month plus my Cat died on the morning of the 5th Anniversary of my Mothers death. I had been sitting on the banks of the local river wondering about walking into it. I eventually went back home & later after a couple of false starts rang them. I told the person I spoke to what had happened & how I felt. The person I spoke to did not refer to what I had told them but we just seemed to chat about various things as if I had just rang a friend for a chat. We did this for what seemed quite a while then they asked me how I was feeling & strangely I felt more happy & positive than I had been before. The Volunteer then gave me a couple of phone numbers to ring to get more specialist help although I have never rung them. When I put the phone down I felt a lot better.

Holly_Scope

Pleased it was a better call @Zipz 😊 hope you're feeling ok today and enjoying the sunshine.

SheffieldMan1976

I rang the local Samaritans last year because I was going through some stuff at the time, the guy I spoke to was about as much use as a Chocolate Teapot and that's being kind! In the end I reported him.

Santosha12

Hello @Annabelle26, thank you for generously sharing your experience, it can help others and I am so glad that you got that help last year.

It's interesting how offloading when things are so overwhelming can really help to shift our mindset. Or 'just' talking generally, as in the experience you had via a chat.

What is true, is that even though we can multi-task, none of us can actually focus on two attention-demanding thoughts, or tasks at the exact same time. Our brain automatically shifts from one to another. Some tasks are just so automatic they are easily accomplished without thinking (like eating and talking).

Maybe that's partly why Samaritans works so well - it helps and gives a space to shift from the acutely felt distress to an alternative (and safer) perspective.

Thank you again, very much, for sharing and take good care.

StarryEyed

Sending you a warm hello, @Zipz 👋🏼😊 ❤️