Samaritans

Samaritans volunteers are available 24/7 to provide a non-judgmental listening ear. You can call 116 123 for free from both landlines and mobiles and will usually be answered straight away. Even mobiles without credit will work and the number will not show up on any phone bill. You can also email jo@samaritans.ie and we aim to respond to emails within 24 hours.

Samaritans offers free 24/7 emotional support 365 days a year for anyone who needs someone. Every 49 seconds, Samaritans answers a call for help. We’re here, day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure.

We’re here, whatever your age, to listen to you and explore what’s going on in your life. Our first responsibility is to you as a caller, not your parents or guardian. So you can talk to us about whatever is on your mind – this may include how you look, problems at school or college, how people are treating you, or worries about exams. People contact us will all sorts of concerns and what might be a small issue to you may be huge to someone else. You could be going through something new or have been struggling to cope for some time, either way, we’re here to listen.

We take confidentiality very seriously and will only consider speaking to someone else if we are really worried about what you have told us and we feel that you are unable to make decisions. During a call, we will offer to get you help if you need it, but if you decline, we will still continue to listen and check-in during the call to see if you have changed your mind about needing help. We can only help in these situations if we have information which identifies you. It is important to know that you decide what information you choose to share with us and even if you have told us this information, it does not mean we will automatically tell someone else.

We believe that people have the right to find their own solutions so we will not tell you what to do but offer you the ability to explore your feelings without fear of prejudice or rejection. Our listeners will never impose any personal attitudes or beliefs on you and we won’t make decisions for you, but will be there to listen to you. You are the expert on your own life – our advice and opinions are not important.