Volunteers at Central London Samaritans provide confidential, non-judgemental, emotional support for anyone who is struggling to cope for whatever reason. We're here to listen every hour of every day and have provided this support without interruption since opening in 1953. We want to ensure that no call for help goes unanswered.
Sadly there was an increase in the number of suicides recorded in England in 2021 compared to the year before (data from the ONS). Men aged 45-49 remain at the highest risk of suicide in 2021, a worrying trend that has persisted for decades. We are also seeing a continued increase in suicides among young people, especially females under 25, increasing since 2012. One in fifteen adults in England say they have attempted suicide at some point in their life.
For almost everyone who contacts us, it's the human interaction that's important. Getting a response from a real person, being heard, not judged and offered a safe place to explore whatever is troubling our callers makes the difference. Almost three out of four people tell us that they feel more understood, and less alone or anxious, after contacting Samaritans. We know that our service can help people before it's too late.
The role our volunteers play is crucial in suicide prevention. Not only it can save someone's life but also supporting someone who is in suicidal crisis prevents the tragic knock on suffering of the friends and family of the individual in question. "With my last grab of strength I made the call to Samaritans. Having someone there to listen with empathy, without judgement, was a real shining light for me. That call to Samaritans probably saved my life" - Samaritans Caller
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