Samaritans

[Mooshamoo]

I've rang the Samaritans about ten times in the last four days and each time it says "sorry, none of our volunteers are available".

I thought they were meant to be 24/7?

You can't even get through to a mental health helpline these days.

OMG! That's awful OP, are you OK?

It's run by volunteers though. If they're busy on other calls there's nothing else anyone can do.

111 option 2 if you're in crisis. I hope you get some support

@stbrandonsboat
Lil Ray of helpful sunshine aren't you.

OP, try other services, there's apps too, 7cups was good in the past

Try this link to find your local nhs crisis team. Hope you’re ok OP.

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline

I have volunteered for the Samaritans and I'm shocked about this. That is really bad.

I mean, that's the whole point of them, that they're there! at all times!
could you try Shout?

Yeah I can understand that. But it doesn't say anything like "wait in line , you're fifth in line to get through".

It just says *no volunteers available". Then it hangs up the call on me.

Thanks. Sorry, I should say I'm actually in Ireland at the moment

Sorry to hear this OP.

They are open 24/7 but that message plays if the line is engaged. Keep trying and hopefully you will get through soon.

Have you called 111? I know Shout and CALM offer similar support

I volunteer for them and Ireland is a little different than the UK but the demand for us is so high at the moment. We really wish we could answer quickly for everyone and breaks my heart that you’ve been let down. My three hour shifts are just back to back calls and I know there’s another person trying to get through at the same time.

Ah thank you for saying that. That's sweet. Well done on volunteering

Sorry to hear your needing some support just now. I always recommend SHOUT as its a text service which some people may find easier than speaking. Just text SHOUT to 85258 then start your message. Hopefully you get some support and things will get easier 🌻. You can find out more about their services (which are free, no cost for sending the text) by googling SHOUT.

SHOUT are the same, two nights in a row no text volunteers to respond.

I know someone involved in Sams recruitment and training and so many people apply to become a volunteer but then never show up to the interview or they don't complete the training. They do have a text service but again, that depends on when people are on shift.

I think that's because there are so many branches up and down the country and I don't think they keep calls to local branches of that makes sense.

In the UK calls get transferred to other branches. Having said that, the main problem for any helpline like the Samaritans, is that the vast majority of calls are time wasting calls of a sexual nature. Men attempting to get a free call to use for masturbation purposes. In 10 years as a volunteer I had just one actual call from a suicidal person. Other than the sex calls, the others were mainly lonely people wanting to talk about their lives, not their feelings.