Life can be wonderful. Life can be tough. Relationships. Work. Money. Loneliness. Mental health. Self-harm. We can all struggle. Any place. Any time. 1 in 4 of us have had suicidal thoughts.
Samaritans is the charity that prevents suicide through the power of human connection. Connecting people in crisis with trained volunteers who will always listen. People calling for change with those who need to listen. People who’ve been there before with those struggling now.
Thousands of volunteers from all walks of life are here every day and night. Listening without judgment. Whoever you are. Whatever your background, beliefs, faith or identity.
We unite to raise awareness of people’s experiences, create partnerships and campaign for suicide prevention. Together, we make suicide prevention a priority and reach people before it’s too late.
Every hour. Every day. Every life. If you believe the power of human connection can prevent suicide, join us.
Let’s prevent suicide today. Because tomorrow’s too late.
Our history – 70 years of preventing suicide
Over the past 70 years, the world has changed in so many ways.
We’ve lived through conflict, recessions, a pandemic, and major shifts in how we live, work and connect with each other. We’ve found new ways to stay close and support each other, but it’s also become harder for some people to really feel heard.
For a long time, talking about suicidal feelings felt impossible. People stayed silent out of fear, shame, or simply not knowing if anyone would care to listen.
That silence has been broken – through the power of human connection. Samaritans answers a call for help every 10 seconds and we’re needed today, as much as ever.
One in four people say they’ve experienced suicidal thoughts. We need to be here to listen when they feel ready to open up.
Every hour of every day. For every life we can help to save.
One phone call turned into a movement
Samaritans began in 1953 with a single phone line and a simple but powerful idea that everyone should have someone there to listen when life gets tough.
At a time when suicide was illegal and talking about suicidal feelings was taboo, a small group of people offered something life-changing: a space to speak openly, without judgment or pressure. Our first phone line in London marked a turning point for those in need, a movement built on human connection.