Has anyone ever rung Samaritans?

I have, just once (so far). About three months ago. Never thought I would, until the last couple of years. I’d been carrying round their phone number flyer in my coat pocket for ages to the point it was, and remains, a frayed old reminder of a comforting ‘should you need us…’ I came very close to it again last night, which is why it’s in my mind. Instead I found some silly escapist distraction instead - often I can’t manage that when I’m too down/anxious/overwhelmed with lost causes but I was somehow able to flip that switch for a while - and I suspect I will again in the not to distant future. What an amazing service. When internal looping will no longer ‘help’, to speak it aloud someone, instantly (not waiting for a weekly appointment) and for a fluid duration really helps to no longer be a tree falling in the forest, just for a little while.

This place helps a lot too, of course! 

Anyone else ever called them? If you’re comfortable saying that is. 

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  • I have never contacted the Samaritans. The problem for me is that I struggle with verbal communication at the best of times. When I am in a distressed and overwhelmed state vocalising becomes even more difficult and inaccessible.

    I know they also offer support by email or letter. However I always think that by the time they reply my distressing feelings will have passed and it would be wasting their time.

    I wish there was a support service that offered real time help on a live chat system. Even when I am not capable of speech I am usually still capable of typing my thoughts.

    I did try using the 'Shout' text service once and it was helpful to some extent. However they didn't give me enough time to reply and repeatedly kept closing the conversation, meaning I had to start again with somebody different.

  • That must have been very frustrating. I think in the future they will accomodate your situation more, but I appreciate that that doesn’t help you much on a day any time soon when you might be feeling at your wits’ end. I hope that this place can give you some support even in thd worst times. 

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