Samaritans

Samaritans is a charity founded in 1953 offering 24-hour confidential emotional support to anyone in emotional distress.

Samaritans' vision is for a society where fewer people die by suicide because people are able to share feelings of emotional distress openly without fear of being judged. Samaritans believes that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings. It is also the aim of Samaritans to make emotional health a mainstream issue because the stigma around asking for help or lack of understanding of emotional health can mean some people don't get the support they need.

The service is offered by 18,200 trained volunteers in 203 branches across the UK and Republic of Ireland and is entirely dependent on voluntary support.

Last year Samaritans received 4.6 million phone, email, letter or drop-in contacts from people in emotional distress.