Yesterday with the Samaritans

[theresonlyonewayout]

I actually emailed the Samaritans yesterday. They did a better job of pretending to care than the NHS tbh and tbf they might actually care but I don't trust them. I'm so desperate atm because I've got all I need but for a couple of reasons, I can't do it right now. It would potentially result in me being found too soon. I'm being looked after as a result of my last attempt. I told the Samaritans that I wanted to drive a knife into my head lol - perhaps a little graphic for them but it's honest and they asked if I had 'a plan' and I told them I have SN. I just can't fight this any longer - I'm exhausted. I've tried and tried but here I am. I can't switch off the pics in my brain.

I didn't actually get any help but then I wasn't looking for any and told them that. They kept offering phone calls etc but I can't talk on the phone (which massively limits what help you can actually get from anywhere - CMHT/Crisis team/helplines/111 all on the phone) but it was nice to be able to write it out to them anonymously and without judgement while I remain trapped.

Peace xx

 

[FuneralCry]

At least you got some benefit out of being in contact with them, many people have had bad experiences. I would personally never do it, it wouldn't help any of my problems in any way. Just having somewhere to write out thoughts can make us feel better.

 

[Grave]

Yeah, in my experience of emailing Samaritans they haven't been too bad, it can be just a good place to vent. They can't really do anything, which is both good and bad depending on your viewpoint.

 

[lifesucksiguess]

I'm not from the UK, but I really like The Samaritans. From everything I hear they seem like a crisis line done right. I will never speak with a US-based crisis service because they will attempt to call the police or some other emergency service if given the chance.

They might not be able to help everyone, but it seems like their heart is in the right place.

 

[Beachedwhale]

Had no idea you could email them

 

[LastFlowers]

At least you got some benefit out of being in contact with them, many people have had bad experiences. I would personally never do it, it wouldn't help any of my problems in any way. Just having somewhere to write out thoughts can make us feel better.

I think some people resort to contacting them even if they know better, if they have nobody else to vent to, they may get desperate and call them in their most tortured hour, but like you said, it usually backfires, big time.

 

[Celerity]

Glad to hear that one of the crisis lines isn't completely useless. I actually felt worse after reaching out to one a few years ago.

 

[OpheliasFlowers]

Glad to hear that one of the crisis lines isn't completely useless. I actually felt worse after reaching out to one a few years ago.

I hear you on that. I'm sorry your experience was a negative one; my one experience with a hotline/crisis line was also negative. I'm in the US. Some years back the day after my mom died, I was a complete mess and my (already severe, longterm) anxiety was just...unbearable, on top of the grief. I resorted to calling a crisis line just to have SOMEONE to talk with. I didn't expect help, really, but I didn't expect it to turn out as awkward, pointless, and seemingly scripted as it was, and then abruptly ended once the hotline person determined I wasn't going to hurt myself or anything. I felt more empty and alone after that call than if I'd never called. I'll never bother with one again.

 

[theresonlyonewayout]

Had no idea you could email them

It takes quite a while to get a reply but yes, you can email them - anonymously.

I think it's all relative. If you're looking for action or tangible help then you'd be disappointed. If you're looking to vent or can be calmed by others then it'll probably help somewhat. Other people and 'advice' like breathe or colour in etc just winds me up more.

If you've had a shite experience with other 'get help' professionals (the ones who are actually supposed to help) then it could be a breath of fresh air.

Anyway, I'm no advocate for them just my thoughts that I needed to get out of my head. Thanks.

 

[LittleJem]

I prefer the Samaritans to every therapist I ever had (I've had around 8, some of whom for a year or two). They are real human beings and kind and they listen to the stuff no-one else wants to hear. Like when I say I want to die, they simply listen. They help me bear the suffering.

I have decided when I die that I am leaving all my divorce money to the Samaritans. Not my family, who blame me and disrespect me and abandon me for having mental health issues. Not my 'friends', one of whom messaged the other day to say she couldn't take more drama and she'd call me in a few weeks. None of that. But the Samaritans, absolutely.

I hear that other people have had bad experiences, but I have personally only spoken with two or three who have not been great listeners and helpful. I call them all the time, probably too much, but I don't know how to cope by myself. When I say helpful, no-one can take away my mental illness, but talking with them helps me bear the suffering.

 

[KuriGohan&Kamehameha]

I've emailed them before too, and while I agree that venting to them is like putting a band aid over a bullet hole, the volunteers at Samaratins have far more empathy than any of the staff employed at the No Help Service (NHS).

 

[roofguy]

I tried to contact Samaritans by email too. They usually respond within 24 hours, but their responses are quite short and generic. If all you need is such a random "uplifting" message, you might as well just open a book of quotations...

Of course, it is understandable, they probably receive thousands of emails every day, and it is just physically impossible to write a detailed and helpful answer to each of them in such a short time with a humble staff of volunteers. Then why don't they just honestly admit that they may not be able to help everyone and focus on more detailed work with selected cases instead?

Anyway, the whole belief that it is possible to "save" people in critical situations by just talking to them sounds rather like magical thinking (which can possibly be explained by the organization's religious roots). Let's be honest: major life problems rarely are purely mental or emotional in nature. It is very unlikely that someone might start to think about ending his life just because he cannot solve a crossword puzzle or because his favorite football team has lost a match. Humans are physical beings, not some disembodied ghosts. And in order to continue their lives, all beings need certain material conditions and resources. So most of our struggles are ultimately related, one way or another, to obtaining those resources.

 

[lil dwayne]

Crisis lines tend to make things worse, just like calling the cops (Something a lot of them will do if they can)
If you get in touch with any of these try and use a VPN or somesuch so they cant track you.

 

[nobodycaresaboutme]

It's worth noting that they want SaSu to shutdown.
I'm not in the UK and don't mean to dismiss those who found some relief in Samaritans, but I strongly doubt they are good or harmless for us.

Samaritans welcomes Ofcom investigation into suicide forum

Samaritans welcomes Ofcom investigation into suicide forum

www.samaritans.org

 

[leot83]

Has anyone here from the uk had a supportuve GP at all?
Mine is useless and will prescribe as little as possible.