I'll admit I rang them once - it was a woman's problem and the older woman on the line was totally useless and unhelpful. I'm sure that is very unusual - I'm almost ashamed I rang in the first place now.
Twice, the first time I got a recorded message, the second time the pleasant young man who answered said he couldn't think of a reason why i shouldn't kill myself. In the dark pit I laughed, told him he was no bloody good and lived to fight another day
Chad Varah founder of the Samaritans was the vicar when my parents got married.
I rang them once, when my mother was dying. I was crying when the phone was answered, but the person on the other end never said a word. After a few minutes I rang off and never tried again. I felt they couldn't be bothered.
I manned the phones for 10 years and would like to think I had made a difference in some lives. When I was Chairperson it was lovely to receive calls from folk wanting to thank our volunteers for their help.