There's quite a few threads about the Samaritans on MN, so I wondered if this would be helpful (I won't share details of individual callers obviously). To begin with a few thoughts...
If you're thinking of calling
- Everyone who answers the phone is a volunteer member of the public. My joining group was made up of all sorts of ages, backgrounds and professions. Sometimes as a caller you won't click with the person you're speaking to, as happens in life, and you can end the call to try again if you feel able to.
- It's a listening service. I know it's trailed all over the place, but we don't give solutions or answers (nor should we, we're not experts). It shouldn't be a replacement for a 24/7 NHS mental health crisis service, but it is and that needs to change. Being actively listened to helps a lot of people - I know that because callers often tell me they feel much better after a 30 minute call.
- It's not just for people who are suicidal or in significant distress, but for anyone who needs to talk things through. Volunteers are trained to gently bring calls to an end in a respectful way, if the call seems to have reached its end or the waiting times are long.
- We know nothing about you apart from what you choose to share, including phone number and where you are. Calls are taken through an app and you're routed to the next available listener anywhere in the country.
- Overnight is the busiest time, when more people are calling with more difficult issues, and there are many fewer volunteers answering calls. I think waiting times are dropping due to more co-ordination around rotas, but sorry if you have to wait - no Sam wants that to happen if you're in distress. If you can call at other times you'll probably have a shorter wait and the volunteer may have more time to talk.
If you're thinking of becoming a Sams volunteer
- Do it! It's a real privilege and I've got a lot from it, I wish I'd done it sooner.
- You can hang up on abusive/sexual callers. Eventually they get blocked and anecdotally the numbers of wankers seem to be dropping as the blocking gets better.
- The training is great, as is the support. There are multiple layers of other volunteers to debrief and discuss things with - for the first six months you debrief all shifts on the phone to an experienced listener. Everyone is friendly and supportive.
- You may have to be on the phone with somebody who's chosen to end their life. Sam's stance is that people's decisions (unless it will harm others, especially children/vulnerable adults) have to be respected, although of course we will ask if they want us to call an ambulance. Sometimes people will be in agony from chronic illness. It happens rarely and most calls are not as distressing - many are enjoyable and some calls are very funny! I've learnt a lot talking to people about their life, studies, hobbies etc.
- You'll be asked to commit to a small amount of overnight shifts each year, normally 2/3 hours, when there's the most need. There's a lot of flexibility (you rota yourself at my branch) and it is definitely worth discussing your own circumstances with your local branch, all branches operate in different ways and are open at different times. Lots of people manage to combine being a Sam with fulltime work/kids etc, and everyone does their annual shift quota in different ways.