Practical Responses - The Samaritans
Christians might support the Samaritans. It was started by Christians but is open to anyone. The Samaritans provide confidential emotional support to anyone who needs it, in the hope of preventing suicide. They increase public awareness of suicide and depression, so that people will be more understanding and better able to help others.
- Started? 1953
- By whom? The Rev. Chad Varah, Church of England vicar.
- Where? London.
- Why? He was the vicar at the funeral of a 14 year old girl who had committed suicide. She had her 1st period, but did not know what was happening. She thought she had a disease, but had no one to talk to. Chad Varah was upset, and felt there was a need for an organisation where people could talk about their problems in confidence.
- When it is available? Any time, day or night, 365 days of the year.
- How does it operate? A network of volunteers on the end of a telephone or e-mail.
- What do the volunteers do? They do not give advice or tell the caller what to do. They listen and help the caller to work out their own solutions. Volunteers are from any background or religion, but can not express their own opinions or beliefs to a caller. They work voluntarily, and this saves £10,000,000 a year.
- Where are they now? Branches all over the country, overseas, drop in centres for people who want to talk face-to-face, email service, telephone lines.
- Why would a Christian support the Samaritans? Not a Christian organisation now, but Christians might support the Samaritans because:
- It is a good way of putting into practise their beliefs about the sanctity of life.
- It is a good way of showing agape, unconditional love, to those who need it.
- Some Christians become Samaritans volunteers as a way of putting their Christian beliefs into action, or might raise funds, donate money, etc.