Samaritans レビュー 430

The need to phone a line like this (nowadays), makes you wonder yourself.
You are the problem! Only you can make the difference! We dislike the other person on on the other side of the phone for not understanding our problems. But it's not there fault! We are only human.
But most people on here are not GOOD samaritans. Phone a helpline. This is no longer a religious helpline

Always had a very good experience with the Samaritans , they listen , they are reliable , respectful, always feel confident when I phone them , I know they will always make me feel better , whether it’s my depression or my anxiety that’s bothering me , they calm me down and most importantly “ listen “ , unlike that other terrible breathing space that should’ve cancelled.

I emailed them because I needed support. Hell, not even support, I just wanted to be seen, I wanted someone to read what I was going through, and respond. Give me advice, ideas, just anything. Hell even just a bit of reassurance that I'm not alone in this, that someone does care and I'm not just screaming my pain into the void.

Instead, they took what I said and repeated it back to me. No information, no support, literally just reworded my email like a highschooler half-assing an essay.

But I thought, hey, maybe it was just a busy day. So I tried again. Only for the same kind of response - if not worse, because this time the sentences were run-on and barely made sense.

The one and only piece of advice I got? "Have you tried counselling?"

I literally told them IN THAT EMAIL that I'd reached out for help in other places multiple times and just got left on waiting lists. I TOLD THEM that I was trying to get professional support for my issues.

So either they didn't read my email in the first place, or they were so poor at their reading comprehension that they didn't see what I'd told them. Either way, when you're going to these people for mental health support, that's not the kind of response that helps.

And you wanna know what's hilarious? I got a better, more uplifting, and hell, more HUMAN response from ChatGPT. Literally talk to an AI instead of bothering with these wastes of space.

I called them for help to talk to on a couple of occassions over a few days was feeling suicidal at the time , the guy on the phone was angry told me im banned from calling them , oh you have called before we have herd your story before your banned from calling , then he randomly said dont you swear at me . never said a single bad word let alone a swear word , luckily recorded this call , i put in complaint to head office a person called me ensured me that the manager of this person would be made aware and would call me to discuss never received the call back and then future email follow up ignored . maybe have some staff who are good and others who are psychopaths and liers i would highly recommend recording any calls you have with them because if i had ended my life as a result he could of been criminally charged .it puts at risk vulnerable people in danger and i hope he has been removed from the orgnisation and red flagged on his name to never be able to do this work again .

They never answer the phone. Totally useless. They aren't very good anyway. I can't wait to leave this earth

No star would be better. Called when I was in crisis and considering suicide . Man on the phone couldn’t get me off the call quick enough!
Just like all so called charity it’s now about money and not caring .

I can’t give zero it seems.

Messaged following hospitalisation because of OD and Samaritans were a point of contact in crisis.

Even my email client was prompting a follow up!

Absolutely appalling service. I’m truly disgusted. Words fail me.

Unfortunately some of the reviews on here have been left in error. This trustpilot is for Samaritans UK, not for Groups called Samaritans elsewhere in the world. Samaritans UK are volunteers, people who give their free time in order to provide a compassionate, listening ear to those in need.

My experience of Samaritans has been overwhelmingly positive. I have needed to call them many times, only very rarely have I had less than positive experiences. Overall, Samaritans uk provide an incredible service, they've provided me with a vital outlet for my troubled mind more times than I can begin to count.

Due to high demand there may be long wait times, there is nothing that can be done about this. Upon being connected to a Samaritan one can expect to be listened to, have an opportunity to talk without being told what to do & without judgement.

In the rare event one is connected to a person who does not adhere to the strict criteria set out by Samaritans a caller is within their rights to report these issues to Samaritans so that they may ensure in future policy is followed accordingly. I would advise anyone uncomfortable with the person on the other end of the line to end the call & if need be, ring again.

No one should feel isolated & alone, thanks to Samaritans UK, one can reach out & find a kindly listening ear.

Never even answered phone after numerous attempts

Called to talk about my mental illnesses and family issues. Mentioned the issues with the person I’m dating as a side comment. The only response I got from the man on the phone with me was him saying that the person I’m dating won’t have sex with me because I was raped.😀

The lady on the phone didnt know how to help or advise me. I felt so awkward and was hard to call in the first place. Im still struggling now.

They did not answer my call. It is a sick joke. I called them after a charity because the charity cut me off after just over 20 minutes. I called CMHRS. The CMHRS refused to speak to me as I have an appointment in 2 months. They made me worse, not better. They would not let me finish a single sentence. You have to help yourself in the UK, as there is nothing worth mentioning to help this issue. I look forward to leaving the UK as soon as I can, if I am still alive. It is a s*** hole.

Will I definitely would never recommend Samaritans another definitely never help them financially or any other way I've not spoken to Samaritans for over eight months and yet I still have restriction on my phone despite their stupid system telling me it'd be removed after 30 days this company is absolutely disgusting and they should be shut down and prosecuted I absolutely hate the service and I definitely won't be recommended him I'm not surprised so many people take their life after speaking to Samaritans and it's pretty damn difficult even trying to get through to these people let alone speak to them I think the services 100% gone downhill and ask for the head office well I think there are total waste of space they don't deserve to breathe The Air that they breathe there are absolutely horrible people they deserve all the crap they get thrown at them

Not even an answer. Why say they are there 24 7 when they are obviously not. No wonder there are higher suicide rates and mental health problems there is actually no help out there full stop. Some big company really needs to set up a help line that is actually answered. 2024 where is the bloody help absolutely shocking

I have been a volunteer for Samaritans and have been on the end of the phone for a wide and varied array of calls.
Samaritans go through an extensive interview and training programme before they are accepted as a volunteer. They are NOT permitted to give advice but to help the individual in need explore feelings and talk over their issues.
From a Samaritan point of view, this can be really difficult, as sometimes you think the answer is totally obvious....BUT, they are only allowed to guide and listen. This enables equality within the team. Whether a Samaritan has personal experience of a certain situation or not, they should all be working in the same way.
As for not asking names, it is a confidential service so it is up to the caller to give any identifying detail if they wish to, most people don't.
They are there 24/7...most with other jobs and responsibilities. They give up a few hours every single week to help others in need.
Of course there are probably some who seem stuck in the past or are 'less helpful' than others..that's just being human.
Every single volunteer has exactly the same months of training and mentoring before being accepted. The training and mentoring is ongoing throughout your time volunteering and is monitored continually.
If you feel you didn't get the response you wanted, there are usually a over 150 volunteers answering calls at any given time, always feel free to hang up and try again.

I "used" to be a volunteer for the Samaritans, I left because I felt I was so limited with how I could help some of the callers, I feel the service is very very outdated, it really needs to get with reality, I worked with quite a few fellow volunteers who I honestly felt should not be in that position, I agree with a lot of the reviews about uncaring, impatient, patronising etc etc. They were generally older people that had done it for years and years, I honestly think that some are still in the 1970's with their attitudes. (my opinion)
Just to add, there is no script as such, but they train you to use certain questions, key words etc. This I know maddened a lot of the regular callers who knew what the volunteer may say. I did try to avoid those phrases, which is why I think my calls were generally positive for people.
May I add I am in my late 50's so I am not being ageist at all.
I also worked with some people that really do/did care about people.
In the two years I volunteered 98% of my callers told me I had made them feel better having someone they felt understood them and gave my time for as long as they felt comfortable, I often felt frustrated I could not of done more to help, all I could do was signpost them to other organisations that they had already has experience with and still needed help. We were not allowed to give advice, but in my opinion some people just need a little advice sometimes, I found that really hard not to do (I have to say I did give advice sometimes and often my caller seemed open to trying the advice)
The 2% of calls that were not satisfied with my responses were what they call "miss use of service" calls, I was not prepared to wait on the call whilst they did the obvious.
I am now looking to volunteer doing a similar thing with Help the Aged, being a volunteer for elderly people who have no family and would like someone to talk to on a regular basis.
I am sorry so many people didn't get what they deserved from the Samaritans.

Very bad. I was made to sound as I felt. No help provided, plus she was happy for me to end the call.
I advise to talk to a stranger on the street rather then take this avenue.
It honestly put me in a worse spot mentally.

I was having a mental health crisis and decided to call the Samaritans. I know they are a listening service and not an advice line. The man I spoke to was sympathetic and whenever I have used the service, I have felt better afterwards. I think all these volunteers do an amazing job!

its clear im emailing someone who calls himself a nice guy. and brags that he volounteers for the samartians. far to many questions and ready made answers that mean nothing. just patting yourselfs on the back.