Samaritans

If there’s someone who springs to mind when you read this, that’s your sign to drop them a message. It might make a bigger difference than you know 💚

Our message to the next PM 👇 Someone takes their own life every 90 minutes. We need the next Prime Minister to commit to this urgent issue. Suicide rates have failed to fall in recent years, but the right leadership could change this. Let’s prevent suicide today, because tomorrow’s too late.

Father’s Day on social media can feel like a flood of happy photos, and celebrations of family. But we know for so many of you that today can be a reminder of loss, longing, or complicated and painful feelings. There's so many reasons why today can be tough, many more than just what we’ve listed, and we want you to know that if you’re carrying any type of heavy feelings or ache today, you’re absolutely not alone, there are so many others who are feeling the weight of this day in their own ways. We’re always here for you if you need to talk on 116 123.

Today, we hand delivered a letter with 2,772 of your signatures to the Fire Minister with Jim, a firefighter from Manchester. We’re asking for mandatory suicide prevention and trauma training for firefighters, who are often first on the scene when someone is in suicidal crisis. With your help, government have already agreed to this support for police officers. Firefighters deserve to be equipped with the skills and training to help save lives too. Our voices are louder together. Every name on our letter helps our message harder to ignore. Thank you for your support 💪

Tonight marks kick off for the men’s England squad in the 2026 World Cup. But every 90 minutes, the time it takes to play a game, someone in the UK dies by suicide. Let’s kick off more than just our hopes for a good World Cup performance today, let’s help to give someone the hope to carry on. We’re asking fans to check in on the people around them and kick off important life-saving conversations. Talking can make a huge difference to someone who is struggling with suicidal thoughts. Whether you’re watching a game together or texting about last night’s result, a simple “How are you doing, really?” can go a long way. Asking – and asking twice – is a small but powerful act that shows our mates that they’ve got space to open up. We don’t have to have the perfect words, we just need to show up and show our support. Don’t keep it to yourself if you’re struggling to cope. We're part of your squad too, and we’re here to listen, 24/7 on 116 123 💚

Suicidal thoughts can make you feel really alone. They can convince you that no one cares, or that things won't get better. But thoughts aren’t facts. Please don't carry these thoughts on your own. Talk to someone you trust, let someone in. Even when it doesn't feel like it, there are people who care and want to help you through this.

What do Samaritans have to do with energy companies? 🤔 Well, energy companies are often one of the first points of contact for customers seeking help in difficult times. OVO knew they needed to do something to support their customers who may be in crisis, especially with the clear link between financial insecurity and suicide risk, and that’s where we came in. Working in partnership, we delivered suicide prevention and wellbeing training to make sure OVO’s customers and teams got the support they needed when it mattered the most. The training we delivered means OVO’s frontline teams can respond confidently and compassionately to customers who may be in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts. It also equipped them with the skills and aftercare needed to look after their own wellbeing after a difficult conversation. OVO’s team members now have the confidence, skills, and knowledge to make a real difference to people’s lives and support each other after emotionally intense calls. We believe everyone who is in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts should get the support they need in the moments they need it. Training frontline teams like OVO’s is an important step in making sure we all play our part in suicide prevention.

Violence, intimidation and racist hate have no place on our streets. What is happening in Northern Ireland and elsewhere is causing fear and distress for many people, especially racialised communities. For people already under pressure, feeling targeted, isolated or like you don’t belong can deepen distress and lead to people reaching crisis point. We saw a rise in calls to Samaritans about discrimination last year. If recent events are affecting you, if you feel frightened, distressed or overwhelmed, you don’t have to face that alone. We’re here to listen if you’re struggling to cope right now. Call us free, 24/7, on 116 123.

“Being a Samaritan feels like a special part of my weekly routine.” Nikki is one of our incredible volunteers, helping us be there for people 24/7. Here’s her story of how she became a Samaritans listening volunteer 💚 “I think Samaritans had been in the back of my mind for a little while. I’m aware there’s a lot going on in the world at the moment and I felt a bit helpless, so I started thinking about what I could do on an individual level to help. “I initially thought about doing a voluntary PR role, as that’s the area I work in, but I wanted to do something different to my day job. Around this time, my friend’s partner became a listening volunteer and the mention of Samaritans in passing planted the seed of thought. “I know people who have made attempts to take their own lives, and I’ve also struggled with anxiety and depression myself, so mental health is something I’m very passionate about. I decided to sign up, had my interview, and began training several months later. “I already thought of myself as a good listener and an empathetic person, but I really feel like that’s increased; the way I listen to people, the way I leave those silences, the way I sit with people in those moments. I think it’s made me more considerate as a person. “Perhaps people don’t have anyone in their life they can talk to about how they’re feeling, or maybe they fear being judged or considered a burden. By speaking to us, they can get it all out, even if it doesn’t make much sense. I think it’s so important for people to feel heard.” Nikki is just one of our thousands of dedicated volunteers, here to listen on 116 123, day or night, whenever life feels difficult.

“I get through each shift knowing I’m providing comfort when they don’t have anyone else.” Samaritans supported Leann through one of the hardest times in her life. She’s shared why she decided to become a listening volunteer herself 👇 “I contacted Samaritans in 2020 when my family was going through a traumatic time. I was trying to support everyone, while simultaneously manage my job and care for my young family. I didn’t really have anyone to talk to about the way I was feeling and the pressure I was under. I felt so helpless, and there was nobody I trusted to talk to about it. “I thought I wanted someone to talk to me, but actually I just wanted someone to listen and that’s what Samaritans did. I ended the call feeling freer and everything I was thinking wasn’t just in my head anymore. The volunteer wasn’t judgemental, and they didn’t try to give me advice or solve my problems, which is what I’d been so used to – they just let me get it all out. “When they asked if I felt suicidal it initially felt really direct but saying the words meant I no longer had this secret burrowing inside of me – a weight was lifted. So it really was – as I think it is for a lot of people – a fork in the road, and that’s why I’m still here. “I thought one day I would love to be that person on the end of the phone. I remember doing the application form and thinking, ‘I can do this.’ I put my name on the list and haven’t looked back since.” Thank you, Leann for sharing your story, and for supporting callers through some of their hardest moments. We’re so lucky to have you as part of Samaritans 💚