Volunteers at Central London Samaritans provide confidential, non-judgemental, emotional support for anyone who is struggling to cope for whatever reason. We're here to listen every hour of every day and have provided this support without interruption since opening in 1953. We want to ensure that no call for help goes unanswered.
In 2023, 6,069 suicides were recorded in England and Wales, up from 5,642 in 2022, the highest rate since 1999. Men accounted for 75% of suicides, with a rate of 17.4 per 100,000, while women's rate rose to 5.7, the highest since 1994. Men aged 45-49 (25.5 per 100,000) and women aged 50-54 (9.2 per 100,000) were most at risk. Suicide among young women under 25 has risen since 2012. Provisional 2024 data suggests the trend continues, highlighting the importance and need for the Samaritans.
For almost everyone who contacts us, it's the human interaction that's important. Getting a response from a real person, being heard, not judged and offered a safe place to explore whatever is troubling our callers makes the difference. Almost three out of four people tell us that they feel more understood, and less alone or anxious, after contacting Samaritans. We know that our service can help people before it's too late.
The role our volunteers play is crucial in suicide prevention. Not only it can save someone's life but also supporting someone who is in suicidal crisis prevents the tragic knock on suffering of the friends and family of the individual in question. "With my last grab of strength I made the call to Samaritans. Having someone there to listen with empathy, without judgement, was a real shining light for me. That call to Samaritans probably saved my life" - Samaritans Caller
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