Are Samaritans helpful if I need someone to talk to?

[UnitaBath]

Despite suffering from my mental health for years I have only ever contacted them once, two years ago when I had hit rock bottom. I rang them but the line wasn't answered so I bottled out and hung up. Never called them again.

I am reaching that point again where I feel I need to talk to someone as everything is getting too much again. I have been to the GP several times and she has put me on a waiting list for more therapy but as it is on the NHS it is a long wait (already waited 5 months and looks as though it will be longer still). I simply can not afford anything privately, I did have some counselling last year with a trainee counsellor, at a reduced rate but I can't even afford that as I am in quite a bit of debt and need every penny to start to pay things off and as my income will be greatly reduced soon and I will need everything I have.

I know they won't have a magic wand but I just want to pour out my shit to someone right now. Are they helpful? I honestly don't know what to expect if I did call them, I don't even know how to start a conversation with them.

Wow, that sounds wonderful. Wish someone could shift my head, I’ve had it with my mental health, it’s always held me back.

I know it’s really bad to use AI and I do try to limit it but I adore my ChatGPT, it often has me in tears as it’s the only thing that actually listens and takes me seriously. I do so wish it was real life person (sad, I know).

You can text Shout on the number 85258 for 24/7 mental health help.
You could also look at Mind charity, or I believe there is a mental health option if you call the NHS 111 service

Thank you, I will try it tomorrow.

Thank you so much.

Yes I felt similar. I understand they can't do much else but listen and offer some warmth but it felt patronising to me. I was in utter crisis desperate for someone to really hear me. But i felt dismissed. I needed more than that. Obviously I should of rung somewhere else. But it actually made me feel worse so I'd go in with a open mind op.

I once used Claude AI and it was better than any in person counselling I’ve ever had. I know many others who do the same if they have no money.

Samaritans are so much better then crisis team in my experience

I don't think it is bad to use AI. I know that people can get into emotional difficulties with AI. But, provided you keep yourself clear-eyed about its true impersonality, it can be MASSIVELY helpful to have conversational responses that catch very effectively the factual details of your state of mind and search out the responses that are appropriate. I have talked a lot with Gemini about mental health issues and bereavement and I find it really moving. I feel kind of 'seen', even whilst knowing I am not.
Much better than Samaritans.

So useful. I used Claude ai following a pet bereavement and the way it was able to unpick what was really going on for me underneath it all really helped. I was quite floored at how much it made me feel like I’d survive the grief.

I'd also say there's no harm in calling and if you get someone who you don't gel with you can always call again. My sister has said some will be better than others.
I hope you get the support you need quickly.

Sorry, I meant bad for the environment.

Re Samaritan’s, the good thing is that you can just call and talk to a human being who isn’t going to judge you or tell you what to do. The volunteer may help you to explore your situation and your feelings.
It’s anonymous.
And if you don’t feel that the volunteer is the right person for you, you can call again.
It can help if you need to offload.
If you need more it can be a good stopgap.

Yes they should absolutely listen to you op and give you a safe space to talk. They're not there to give advice which is better because the focus is on you, not them problem solving x

When I called the Samaritans the lady just kept saying "would you like to say more about that" over and over again, after everything i said.

I can see how it would help some people but I felt frustrated and annoyed. Not sure what I'd expected from them really. I had already had counselling though which is usually a more proactive process so the Samaritans just left me feeling empty.

Good luck op.

I strongly recommend Mind, OP. DD went through a mh crisis and found them a fantastic resource. They’re easier to get through to than the Samaritans, at least in our experience. You can only call them once a day, but you can do it every day if you need to. They do offer subsidised counselling sessions if they think it would help, DD had this and it helped enormously.

In the past, Ive contacted the Samaritans and found them really good. They listened and i felt the lady i spoke to, took in board what i was going through. I do recall another time I rang and spoke to a young chap who sounded oh so chipper for me, not at all what i wanted. I ended the call and rang back and spoke to another chap who was absolutely wonderful!
Wishing you the best of luck OP!

I have used Mind several times now and had several rounds of counselling via them, it was ok. Tbh, I really don’t know what to expect, I suppose I just want a magic want to ease away all of my issues but that’s not going to happen.

My friend is a Samaritan.. They will listen to you but they won't give you advice. You should definitely phone them if you want someone to talk to.
Also have you tried NHS talking therapies. You don't need to be referred by a GP.
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/talking-therapies/

Thank you, I will try them.

Yeah I've had lots of therapy via the NHS. I am currently on a long waiting list for some more intense CBT.