Samaritans

[EvianBaby]

Have you ever called them? We're they helpful to you? Or indeed worked for them?

[bednobs]

yes, no, no

[EvianBaby]

Would be interested to see if others say the same as you Bednobs.

[Prudie]

I'd answer exactly the same as bednobs but don't want to explain why.

[vodkancoke]

I have contacted them before, they were helpful. I don't think I could work for them.

[bednobs]

i could say the same if that helps?
yes, no, no :)

[EvianBaby]

Sorry, of course nobody needs to say why.

[EvianBaby]

Lol Bednobs.

Actually, if anyone could say why they weren't helpful (without specific details) I'd be interested.

[daisya]

I used to work for them some years ago, found it very interesting work and upsetting at times.

[DTCwordfan]

I think you may get better dispassionate advice on here. Like all these things, I suspect it very much depends on who you get. Have I been on the dark side, yes. Have I called them, no - but I know a few who have.

[bednobs]

they were not helpful as such because i hoax called them when i was about 11 then hung up, then spent all week expecting to get arrested :)

[DTCwordfan]

However, if it picks up, say, 25% of calls and helps them, then they have provided a very valuable service.

[DTCwordfan]

Bedknobs! - I am shocked - almost worthy of that recent Leeds event with the kids hoaxing the Emergency Services, pretending that one of them was 3.

However, we all do dumbo things in our lives and you don't have to be 11.

[Eve]

No, I've not called them but I worked for a university student version and did some training for them and had some training myself from the Samaritans for it.

[Prudie]

I rang for advice, wasn't the right place to ring that's all.

[Andyvon]

I've never rung them although I've had some tough times in the past. A few years ago my mother staffed their phones in Amersham one night a week for a few months. She said that all she was allowed to do was just listen - she wasn't to engage in conversation or give anyone advice. All she could basically do was say "Yes", "No" , "Oh I see" etc. Just be a voice for someone to speak to rather than engage in conversation.

I can understand the not giving advice bit but I know when I was very low it was someone giving advice that I actually needed! If I was speaking to someone who refused to answer questions or give advice then I would have got frustrated and put the phone down even more desperate and worse than I was!

I'm sure the Samaritans help many people but there are also many people who can't get the help they need from a disembodied voice on the phone that won't give them any advice. The problem is that those are the very people who mostly call the Samaritans.

[EvianBaby]

My thoughts exactly Andy.

[RATTER15]

Yes, no, no!

[daisya]

When I was with them, we did have some people come into the centre who we saw and needed help, but of course it was mainly phone calls that people made. Didn't have much feedback as to it helping people, but some seemed grateful to be able to unload problems which must have helped having someone impartial who would listen.