Hi. Samaritans used to be OK back in about 2006 but they have gone badly downhill. There is an occasional human being on the line but they are like Hen's teeth. Most, I'm sorry to say, are vegetables and robots. No compassion or empathy. The organisation is a mess. Their head office is a joke. For example compare with the Red Cross support line and CALM. Red Cross now have a questionnaire after the call where you can rate the call. That highlights the problem with Samaritans. There's no accountability. That is a breeding ground for predators and a few times I've got the impression that that is exactly what I'm talking to. It eventually dawned on me the seriousness of this. What if I was literally suicidal ? What about other suicidal people phoning the line ?! I felt a sense of responsibility and very strongly challenged a number of volunteers to contact head office and get things sorted out. If they tried I don't know but its got worse if anything. I parted ways with Samaritans after talking to them about an, admittedly disturbing (but that's why I was phoning !) revelation from my past that had suddenly come up and I needed to talk. The next day to my horror they'd barred me with a message about "concerns about the content of the calls". Enough to send someone in a worse state than me over the edge.There are better organisations out there but the whole mental health field is a mess. Volunteers need to be psychologically profiled and screened for personality disorders (for example showing them video of someone crying and measuring their reactions) before they are put anywhere near some of the most vulnerable people in our society.There need to be a lot of complaints made to the Charities Commission.
Claim your business profile now and gain access to all features and respond to customer reviews.
