Search

Tara: an "emotional rollercoaster"

Tara* (she/her) lives on her own in England and works as a psychologist. She has struggled with depression since she was a child, and had attempted suicide twice before the pandemic.

Celebrities share their stories for Real People Real Stories

Celebrities share their stories of tough times with Samaritans to help encourage other men to seek help.

What it is to be a man: Suicide in middle-age

• 28th September 2012
• All

Mat's story

Mat, 44, from Southampton, sought support through Samaritans’ Facing The Future peer-support programme for people sadly bereaved by suicide, after a close friend died.

Laura’s story

Laura says Samaritans saved her life during a difficult time with her mental health. To give back and support others who are struggling like she was, Laura ran the 2024 TCS London Marathon for Samaritans.

Veterans’ Emotional Support Helpline

If you’re a veteran, serving member of the Armed Forces or a family member and need someone to talk to, we listen and we won’t judge. Our helpline is a safe space for people who have served in the Armed Forces to talk about their experiences.

Sam's story

Fran's story

Meet Taylor: “I hit a wall. I thought I couldn’t do it anymore. My little sister and my mate noticed and said they thought I should get some help.”

When Taylor’s mum faced a life-threatening illness in hospital, it turned his world upside down.

Meet Kay: "The beauty of being a Samaritan, is that our service is always here, all year round, 24 hours a day."

Kay talks about how reaching out to Samaritans led to her becoming a volunteer herself, and why she’s passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion at Samaritans.

Brixton Prison’s Hidden Gems

Ricky has been a Listener in Brixton Prison for 2 years; he says it changed his life.

Mental Health Awareness Week toolkit

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we're going to be talking about the stigma around suicide.​

Facing the Future Suggested Reading List

Central London Samaritans and Cruse Bereavement Support work together to help support people who have been bereaved by suicide.

Staying hopeful during a difficult time

From going on a walk with a friend to being thankful for the small things, there are many things you can try to stay hopeful during difficult times.

How to start a conversation with somebody who needs help

It’s normal to feel anxious about starting a conversation and making small talk. You might worry about saying the wrong thing – but having the confidence to act could help save a life.

Fiona's story

Mental health is not a straightforward journey for everyone – it’s certainly been tricky journey for Fiona.

Psychological effects

People we spoke to described experiencing a range of psychological impacts due to the pandemic, including the impact on suicidal thoughts and feelings.

Life during the pandemic

Read about the challenges, hopes and coping strategies of people who've felt suicidal or self-harmed since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

Practical ways to help yourself cope

Information on what to do if you're feeling low or struggling to cope.

Adrienne urges others to make the call

Adrienne, 24, from North Lanarkshire, called Samaritans when she was struggling to cope. Now she is encouraging others to do the same.

• 10th September 2019
• Blog
• Scotland