During lockdown, when Emma felt like she couldn’t go on, she called Samaritans. Emma says that call made her realise she had strength to reach out and strength to get better – to choose life.
Four years later, Emma is running her first marathon to raise money for Samaritans and is in a much better place in her life, alongside planning her wedding for September too!
“I’ve struggled on and off with anxiety and depression since my 20s, but four years ago things got so bad that I couldn’t see a way out, I felt like I was drowning. I felt like I had no one to turn to. There was one night that I remember was really bad.
It was the middle of the night and I couldn't call anyone I knew because it was around 3am. I called Samaritans, I didn’t really know what I wanted to talk about, but I just wanted someone there so I didn’t feel alone in that moment.
I was scared and contemplating ending my life just to escape the situation I was in. The volunteer stayed on the phone and listened to me – let me cry and asked all the right questions without pushing me. She talked to me for hours. We talked about everything and she was so kind and patient. We talked until I felt truly safe to hang up the phone.
To this day, I’m so appreciative of that Samaritans volunteer – she saved my life. I remember thinking I don’t want my life to end – I just want this chapter to close.
The volunteer helped me realise that if I was strong enough to reach out I was strong enough to keep reaching out and keep working on changing my situation and getting better. That night I decided I can fight to live.
Since then – I’m doing so much better. It’s still emotional to talk about, but it feels like a distant memory. I’m not just surviving, but absolutely THRIVING.
On race day my fiancé, Lauren, and a couple of friends are coming to cheer me on. Knowing that Lauren will be there, she’s my guiding light, will get me through when I start to flag. I feel like this is the final chapter – I’ve worked hard to build my mind back up and running this marathon will remind me of how strong I really am and what I can do.”
We are Team Samaritans and we believe in tomorrow
We were so honoured to be the 2024 TCS London Marathon Charity of the Year.
Believe in Tomorrow
We all struggle to cope sometimes, and one in five of us have experienced suicidal thoughts at some point in our lives. But suicide can be prevented and we can all play a part.
Stories of hope
Hear from people who have been helped by Samaritans