Samaritans Reviews 

I phoned last week after I had taken an overdose. The woman on the other end of the line couldn't have been less bothered. She asked if I wanted her to ring emergency services and I said no and she then just gave me half hearted responses and kept going quiet. I felt so uncared for that I told her I was going to go and she just said I could ring back if I wanted to. Luckily my husband found me and I'm getting help from the local mental health service.

I'm genuinely concerned for anyone that rings them that are feeling suicidal and would suggest instead they phone their local crisis number or 999.

Like taking to a brick wall absolutely useless people that get a kick out of your problems do not bother even ringing them as they need closing down as they appear to be no longer fit for purpose as if they ever were?

Useless. Stop removing reviews.

I was banned from Samaritans for three months for being very unhappy and mentally ill took an overdose and now have liver damage. Stay away is my advise they couldn't care less.

Like Crimestoppers,111 etc another broken so called "helpline".I first phoned years ago.Had attempted suicide with sleeping pills.Samaritan said sort yourself out or may as well go back to the pills.Phoned small number of times since then,always dreadful call handlers there,in my opinion, for all the wrong reasons,like enjoying the negative power they have over people at their most vulnerable or even suicidal by appearing disinterested with zero empathy.Seems they haven't improved.Remember if you get a disinterested,hostile or even abusive call handler on phone you don't have to carry on the call,just hang up.Terrible organisation from my experiences and seems that's totally reflected on this platform.

the person who i spoke to was nothing but understanding, and listened to my experience, at the end they made jokes and i felt happier and listened to. although they didn’t give me much advice on maybe how to deal with the problem exactly, it felt good to finally talk about how i feel.

The person on the other end of the phone had absolutely no interest in helping me. He directed me to another website. Samaritans is no longer fit for purpose and should be disbanded.

Called this morning feeling so low. Explained that I'm ill and how I've put everyone else first but no one is there for me. Extremely upset and the response was " so how can you cheer yourself up"??!!! Where's the empathy?!

I called this number for help, it was like talking to myself, all they keep saying is they can’t offer advice, and they are a listener service, this company really needs to be looked into, I can only imagine how many people end their life after a horrible experience with them,the reviews speak for themselves, it simply is not good enough, the British people deserve better, this service is so out dated and not fit for purpose anymore

If you have a bad experience with Samaritans and think you can mention it, you WILL be hung up on. No matter how horrific it is, which shows a palpable disinterest in callers and the service.

I was laughed at and told “if that’s what you want to do I’m happy to listen” after answering yes if I was depressed or suicidal.

I’ve had volunteers laugh when I said my African name and treat me with disdain. I have called pretending to be racist and using the N word and they agreed!!!!! A woman called Steph.

I’ve had a young girl tell me she’s not here to listen to my health concerns when my father was unwell and I was also told that the volunteer didn’t know why I felt like the world owed me something when I couldn’t attend my friends funeral!

Supportive? Not if you’re black or in prison! Dates will vary because this is too common. Then they get away with more training but the person who needs support gets blocked?!? Samaritans do not value their callers, if they did they would record them be a volunteers are causing suicide and more depression and they don’t care.

The angels are 1 in 500

I thought it was an organization to help people fight depression. They never answer, never available and it seems they have no intention to help or not prepared for it. They are there probably to earn some money and that's it. Do not fall for that, look for real help .

It was an awful experience. I was telling them how I was feeling and that I was feeling down but there reply was nothing but silence what an absolute disgrace.

They listen and go quiet dont say a lot, you are feeling so low and all it is listen to you, you could commit suicide while you was on the phone and nothing to me they are a waste of time

A Poem that I wrote and wanted to share about the Samaritans.
Title: Samaritans….

​When I feel low
These people lift my soul,
It takes a unique individual to let you speak the sadness in your heart
And wanting that feeling to simply depart.

Samaritans
These are angels that protect your heart,
They help manage your feelings, which all feels lost
As you wondered what contributed this falling at an almighty cost.

The lift my spirit for simply listening to this broke soul
Thinking there is nothing in life that can be recaptured or whole.

It takes a special person to be attentive and caring
And when I was told once ‘we may not know you, but we do care’.

Samaritans are a blessing
And Samaritans are my Angels who have been there time and time again,
If you ever need to release your thoughts when you reach a stand still
Remember there are these people, who are humble and everso real.

“116123, the best telephone number you will ever call. Angels on lifes terms”
Jason
10th July 2026

I have phone 4 times over the past 4-5 years. The first two people I spoke to were so helpful in particularly a woman who really helped me work through my feelings and a situation. I phoned a couple of weeks ago and the man listened and I at least felt a bit lighter by end of the phone call and he said I can phone anytime. I have been distressed for a few months and have been having emotional flashbacks, I have really needed someone to speak to but I know it all depends who you speak to and I didn't want to feel worse. I phoned Samaritans this morning and was left feeling dismissed and invalidated, he asked me what my living situation is which is nothing to do with what I was phoning about and 'I'm trying to figure out your age and failing miserably' I told him which I shouldn't have but when I'm feeling emotionally vulnerable and put on the spot, I can find it hard to put up those boundaries to protect myself , he then said 'well there you are'. I was trying to discuss what I was initially calling for and he cut me off mid sentence which was followed by 'Lots of things in the past and what have you' And then 'What happened this morning to make you phone the Samaritans?' I was left feeling more distressed and like no one can understand my mental health. It makes me feel the service is inaccessible as it's a lottery who picks up the phone.

If I could give zero stars I would. They said they'd done a safeguarding request, then called me back 2 days later to have me talk to them for over 40 mins, silly me im talking about really difficult things, then when it was toward the end of the 40 minutes I said it really helps that you've done the safeguarding referal. Omg! Do not trust these people! Find another crisis line! I was treated to a total walk back of the safeguarding referal. It was we dont do safeguarding referals...but you did 2 days ago...then wait a minute as I speak to my manager...well...they forgot to put the phone on mute. Therefore I got to discover what they really think of me - answer not much! The manager says - ooh tell HER we dont do safeguarding referals, just refer HER to Adult Social Services ( a known unsafe route for me and they know it)...but what do I say though said the staff member clearly out of her depth. What I said...so..samaritan lady says hi yes..then delivers the script. Me...mhmm ..see I just heard everything that was said to me as you forgot to put the call on mute. It was one of those moments where they had to scramble and they did. The boss lady interjected and took over the call!! Ah so you were listening in! Dear God! Boss lady tries to gain the initiative ( !), talks down to me. Me - really! I did hear all you said about me so??? Like ya kinda lost the argument already. So boss lady doubles down on the we dont do safeguarding until I questioned her enough to narrow it down to the pivot...ah we did a form then and its gone to a safeguarding group. Aha what group...oh you cant call them. Didnt say I would but yeah what group...jesus! So apparently a safeguarding group within Samaritans that sounds masonic in nature! No one can get in, no one can get out vibes. This sounded all very bizarre. The boss lady then says you can still call us and I said - you've hurt me, you've made my life that much worse. I cried for hours then suddenly I was done. Who needs this poison in life. They should be ashamed of themselves. I hope my post helps other people. I feel relieved today that im blessed to know what they are really like. Its a relief to not call them ever again. Its a huge betrayal of trust, its on them.

after seeing the reviews making mistakes in texts is normal but does anyone here think this is purposely done shout not shoot apparently that’s what was in the text that i got told was a mistake don’t think it was tho

I really appreciate there services all wounderfull bless them

some of their staff at NYC are helpful but when it’s bad it’s really bad. when ur in crisis, some volunteer on the other line just ask some robotic irrelevant questions, asking u to repeat stuff u just said.

I felt that the person just had a script to follow i have come away not feeling any better.