Samaritans, things on your mind?

We don't know when you might need us: that's why we're open 24 hours a day.

For almost 40 years in Ireland, Samaritans have been providing confidential nonjudgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day, for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. Whatever anyone is going through, whether it's big or small, Suzanne Costello, Samaritans Director Ireland says, "Don't bottle it up. We are here for you if you're worried about something, feel upset or confused, or just want to talk to someone."

Samaritans offers support by telephone, email, letter and faceto- face at 20 branches across the island of Ireland. Samaritans also has a Festival Branch, which offers face-to-face support at a range of outdoor events, including music festivals and other gatherings.

The Samaritans' vision is for a society where fewer people take their own lives by suicide. It wants to help create a society where people are able to talk about their feelings openly and where people are able to respect the feelings of others

In the short-term, the Samaritan's goal is to make emotional health more of a mainstream issue, as well as continuing to provide our 24/7 confidential support service.

In addition to offering emotional support to those in distress, Samaritans carries out work at a local and national level to educate people about the importance of emotional health, directly and through working with other organisations in an area.

We deliver training on communications skills in the workplace, many Samaritans volunteers give talks or presentations in schools, we run a prison listening service to train prisoners to support fellow inmates and Samaritans was consulted by the government when it drew up its Suicide Prevention Strategy - A Vision for Change.

Volunteering for Samaritans can change someone's life...your own.

Our service in Ireland is offered by 1,800 trained volunteers and is entirely dependent on voluntary support. There are 20 branches of Samaritans across the island of Ireland and your local branch of Samaritans is always looking for people with the ability to listen, without passing judgement.

If being a listening volunteer is not for you, many branches also need professional advice or administration support from time to time. If you have expertise in fields like accountancy or marketing, you might be able to help.

Anita Lawlor, Volunteer Regional Representative for all Irish Branches, said, "Volunteering can be a life-changing gateway to new perspectives. Our volunteers have met new people, built strong friendships, mastered new skills, changed jobs, become public speakers, returned to education - found the confidence to try new things. Our support volunteers provide publicity, fundraising and ensure that important administrative functions are carried out.

Our listening volunteers are here so that people can talk and email about anything that is troubling them, in confidence, for as long as is needed.

"By becoming a Samaritans' volunteer you can help us make a real difference to others. You will also make a real difference to yourself."

24:7 Telephone Helpline:
1850 60 90 90
24:7 Email Helpline:
jo@samaritans.org
Web: www.samaritans.ie
For general enquiries and
information please call
01 878 1822
Donations: Samaritans
Regional Office, 44 Bellevue
Park Avenue, Booterstown,
Co.Dublin.