...to think the Samaritans isn't always the best intervention for those in crisis?

[AwkwardPigeon]

I'm just getting sick of the half-hearted attempts to help people suffering with their mental health on social media, all of these prescriptive tweets and FB posts with the addendum of the Samaritans phone number.

As a society we really need to be doing more than just directing all suicidal people to the Samaritans, I'm not doubting it's a useful lifeline to some in a time of need but it definitely has its limitations. I question its effectiveness in comparison to other interventions like face-to-face regular counselling sessions which unfortunately there are very long waiting lists for under the NHS and sadly many people if they were suicidal would (and probably do) take their own lives before getting a referral.

The Samaritans service have helped me in the past to a degree when, although not suicidal, I was struggling considerably with my feelings around specific events however I did get the impression they were scared to give any actual advice. Another time I rang them the most fed up-sounding man ever answered the phone and I just hung up because I sensed I wouldn't be able to open up to him. I think it's a lottery like many other services in that whom you get through to depends on the quality of help you receive and the level of optimism you feel once the call ends.

Also, call me cynical but I just think it's so easy for individuals to push the burden onto the Samaritans when we shouldn't really be relying on a charity largely funded by donations from the public to fix everyone's mental health problems and prevent suicides. There are so many other agencies that need to play a part too and us as individuals in helping those we know rather than signposting them to a charity to speak to a stranger. Am I being too harsh?!

And NO ONE is going to pay for all these services because most unfortunately, there is still a prevailing, nasty undercurrent of this society that social ills, mental health conditions and even some disabilities are the result of personal weakness and failing.

This x 1billion.

Graphista. Great post. You've pulled our collective responses together.

I don't think that anyone wants to vilify The Samaritans. We're saying that it should not be doled out by the media particularly in the case of someone who is actively suicidal, and that there should be a better form of recourse available to people.

I will again personally argue that recourse should be sought from 111 or 999. Good Morning should not be covering suicide and then only putting the Samaritans' number at the bottom of the screen. If your life is in danger 999. If you're unwell and not sure what to do, 111.

111 has a mental health assessment thingy they go through. Same as if you ring up with a pain in your head.

I've phoned them twice and it really helped me to calm down and reassess my position.They directed me to online resources where I could find contacts for useful organisations. They gave me one number but it was constantly engaged (which they warned me about). When I finally got through it was useful. This was 12 years ago.

Thank you @Graphista, she is 22

I don’t think that anyone is saying that the Samaritans do not have a place in supporting the public. Or that for some people in some circumstances that they can play a useful role. What - in my opinion - is wrong is that there number is doled out as the ‘first line of defence’ and to my mind gives the impression that they offer a crisis service that they don’t - which could be dangerous.

I've found Samaritans helpful on quite a few occasions. I think it's good that they can't give advice - lives are so complicated, how could they possibly know the right advice to give after one anonymous phone call? I've recommended them to a lot of people and will continue to do so. My best suggestion would be to remember you can hang up and call back and try talking to a different volunteer. Everyone has different personalities and clicks with different people, don't be afraid to try again and again until you find someone who you feel really understands you.

And NO ONE is going to pay for all these services because most unfortunately, there is still a prevailing, nasty undercurrent of this society that social ills, mental health conditions and even some disabilities are the result of personal weakness and failing

An excellent observation, though as i said earlier it's across all public services, as a society we chose (so called) lower taxes over decent public services at every opportunity - of course we end up paying more in the long run.

Samaritans helped me several times. Thank you to those who do it.

Samaritans not designed to replace NHS or private mental health services. It is an extra - provided by people who give time and money to try to do something to make the world a bit easier.

And to those who make nasty comments - I would ask what you are doing to contribute to society? Or are you just a taker?

Do you work, volunteer, give money, pay a lot of tax, try to change things, campaign etc etc?

InTheSummerhouse who is making nasty comments?

Piblic services such as NHS referring people to call samaritans is akin to job centres telling people to use foodbanks

What do you suggest the NHS does instead? They're at crisis point because they are underfunded and understaffed.

What do you expect Job Centres to do? There isn't crisis funding and the government have underfunded local government and introduced long waits for benefits.

My issue with the NHS signposting to Samaritans is that it can be totally inappropriate.

I have ADHD, a neurodevelopmental condition and require medication. I am not depressed or suicidal. I have issues with memory, concentration etc that appropriate meds could help but GP cannot prescribe without me seeing the specialist first.

I was referred to ADHD clinic and got a letter telling me that waiting times were long and would I like to contact Samaritans whilst I am waiting.

Again I ask the question: what is the alternative if the NHS does not have the money or staff to provide the service you need? What do you suggest they do?

Let GPs prescribe? More training for GPs?
Not suggest Sams for a neurological condition!

Its actually worse than useless as a suggestion so as another alternative... nothing.

There you go, there is no alternative. It's a sticking plaster. There is no training for GPs as there is no money to train them. The government is running the NHS into the ground because they want private healthcare.

"there should be more options that are equally as accessible to the masses, that was my point and I did criticise the lack of mental health services we have access to under the NHS."

but how can services be better? I have had depression and anxiety for decades. Even if you hit the private sector, you will run low on people who can actually cope with doing the work required to look after people like me.

you have to be realistic about it. Last time I saw my doctor, I asked how she was (well I always do) but unusually she said to me that she felt the demand for mental health help had got to a point that's impossible to manage whether it's NHS or not.

do we want people who aren't naturally inclined to a mental health role being offered higher salaries to tempt them into something that will likely damage them AND the patient?

toomuchtooold

I completely get why you wanted that and I did go the local vicar when my dad was dying.

I'm not religious btw

I've got one friend whose private counsellor has turned her away, after a few years, because she can't cope with her either.

“And to those who make nasty comments - I would ask what you are doing to contribute to society? Or are you just a taker?”

Firstly - constructive criticism is not “nasty comments”

Secondly your comment is! Because people who are suffering serious mental illness are generally unlikely to be in a position to help others much if at all!

Thirdly - that said, when I was more well in the past yes I did work, volunteer, donate and support others...that’s part of how I ended up ill! And that’s one true of a lot of people that they were HUGE givers until they’d no more left to give!

Even now despite being housebound myself, and extremely unwell, I still provide a shoulder when I can to friends/family, I hopefully help with advice on here and other forums. I write regularly to my Mp, sign petitions, use sm to raise awareness...

THAT GOOD ENOUGH?!

“There is no training for GPs as there is no money to train them” there IS Money

“The government is running the NHS into the ground because they want private healthcare.” Exactly which is why they have CHOSEN to underfund it - the money IS there but this govt would rather give it to their cronies!

And to those who make nasty comments - I would ask what you are doing to contribute to society? Or are you just a taker?

I don't think I've seen nasty comments, either. Just ways the service might improve for its users and frustration that other services which might provide more long-lasting relief have been run down.

I've volunteered for a number of years for an organisation that supports people with mental illness. Do I qualify to comment?

Tbh my services are split in 2. Severe depressed suicidal and anyone with a diagnosis goes to mh nurses psychs and that's it as not ready for cbt. Then ppl that have input from iapt. Theirs a massive gap in the middle

Mh not my