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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Can't believe there's nothing posted in here yet.
Please people, please don't suffer in silence.
I worked as a Samaritan for 3 years.
I've also known first hand what's it's like to stare into the abyss and see nothing but darkness and no way out. So I have seen it from both sides.
If anyone on here is serious about wanting to help anyone please contact your local Samaritans group and ask if there's anything you can do.
It's also the most rewarding thing I have ever done. It helped change me massively as a person.
A stranger helped me once and it saved my life.
Also if anyone is on here and they are feeling down, worried, confused or even at point where they see no way out or can't find a reason to carry on and you want to talk, message me or call someone.
It would also be nice if the site itself had more, if any information about this sort of thing available on the website.
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"Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: it is easier to say “My tooth is aching” than to say “My heart is broken".- C S Lewis. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Unfortunately there is just no help available for those who need it.
I have battled with suicidal ideation for more years than I care to remember, and have begged for help over and over again, only to be dismissed and told I can't be helped.
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"Can't believe there's nothing posted in here yet.
Please people, please don't suffer in silence.
I worked as a Samaritan for 3 years.
I've also known first hand what's it's like to stare into the abyss and see nothing but darkness and no way out. So I have seen it from both sides.
If anyone on here is serious about wanting to help anyone please contact your local Samaritans group and ask if there's anything you can do.
It's also the most rewarding thing I have ever done. It helped change me massively as a person.
A stranger helped me once and it saved my life.
Also if anyone is on here and they are feeling down, worried, confused or even at point where they see no way out or can't find a reason to carry on and you want to talk, message me or call someone.
It would also be nice if the site itself had more, if any information about this sort of thing available on the website.
--------------
"Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: it is easier to say “My tooth is aching” than to say “My heart is broken".- C S Lewis."
What a brilliant post. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"Can't believe there's nothing posted in here yet.
Please people, please don't suffer in silence.
I worked as a Samaritan for 3 years.
I've also known first hand what's it's like to stare into the abyss and see nothing but darkness and no way out. So I have seen it from both sides.
If anyone on here is serious about wanting to help anyone please contact your local Samaritans group and ask if there's anything you can do.
It's also the most rewarding thing I have ever done. It helped change me massively as a person.
A stranger helped me once and it saved my life.
Also if anyone is on here and they are feeling down, worried, confused or even at point where they see no way out or can't find a reason to carry on and you want to talk, message me or call someone.
It would also be nice if the site itself had more, if any information about this sort of thing available on the website.
--------------
"Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: it is easier to say “My tooth is aching” than to say “My heart is broken".- C S Lewis.
What a brilliant post. "
Thank you  |
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I did 6 years as a Samaritan, but ended up leaving as it was just getting too hard to deal with certain calls.
If you are feeling down and not sure if you should call some interesting facts about your call.
Some time during the call, you will be asked the ‘suicide question’ it’s not the first thing they’ll say but when it’s appropriate. You don’t have to answer it’s just something that will come up.
Silent calls are very common, the volunteers are trained to deal with these the same as any other call. They will stay with you on the line till you decide to talk or leave.
If you have taken something, you will be asked about what it is, when you took it etc..that’s information they will pass on if you give them permission to call an ambulance for you. This is important they will only call the emergency services if you give permission, they will also stay with you if you decide to end it all. Nobody should be alone at that moment.
I have yet to meet a volunteer who hasn’t been in some type of crisis themselves. Of all the people who will understand what you’re going through, it’s that person on the other end of the phone.
Samaritans unfortunately do get a lot of sex calls, even these will be treated with respect. They will hope once that person has finished, they are depressed or suicidal they’ll call back. There was a lot of debate when I was in, about how to deal with this issue, especially lady volunteers who get the majority. But the service is for everyone and if you do it or consider doing it, please don’t. There could be a suicidal person trying to get through and you’re holding up the line.
You can talk about any subject including sex, but the volunteers are interested in how you’re feeling at this time in your life. Often people will bring up issues with family, relationships or even their car breaking down but the volunteers are only interested in you and how you’re coping. They won’t change the subject but they may guide you to talking about yourself.
End the call as you wish, the volunteers are aware of how difficult it is to pick up the phone. Often people are desperate and can’t say what they need to say, through tears or even anger. Don’t feel bad if you ended the call abruptly or feel the need to call back and apologise. If you feel you can get on with your day and feel a bit better, that volunteer has done their job. Put some money in the tin or donate online if you can afford it.
I haven’t described one call I’ve received and after a shift I won’t tell anyone about the calls I had, including family. We are expected to show discretion and not divulge anything in public. Calls are discussed with the leader at the end of a shift but that’s it. A common phrase used is ‘when you walk into the office your Samaritans hat is put on, take it off as you leave’. So don’t think they all nip to the pub and discuss your call in detail.
They’re a great bunch the volunteers, you get them all. Doctors to HGV Drivers, I have sat down and chatted between calls with a great variety of different people. So it’s not an expert you’re talking to, they are there to listen and encourage you to talk. Then hopefully after you’ve talked to that stranger on the end of the phone you can carry on and get through that day.
If you need them, please call. |
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