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. 

Parents Reply
  • Sorry for the upset, and for my own part I hope I didn’t give the impression that my life is unending misery. I do get very low and anxious though, and I’m processing a lot that’s happened (and unhappened!) and some days it’s background, other days all consuming. But maybe it’s a positive thing to have started the thread- a reminder that there’s an option we could all too easily overlook in our darkest times. 

Children