samaritans

Orlee

creggy wrote:

I would recommend emailing these guys. They helped me to get pass depression

- (samaritans)

This came from another post but I didn't want to be diverting the conversation

I've thought about contacting these guys before but I just dont know where to start.

I mean do you just literally mail them and say "Hi, I'm feeling like crap"? The thoughts of talking to someone makes me feel worse so i've just been pushing it all under the carpet and it's not getting any better. It's getting worse by the day. Do they just mail you back? I just can't get my head around the thoughts of spilling my heart to a complete stranger

cormthechippy

hey,

the samaritans are brilliant.. i used to be in contact with them when my depression was pretty bad. i could never bring myself to lifting the phone, so an email was always an easier option.

just email them, tell them exactly how you feel, why you feel this way etc..

remember though, the samaritans can't give advice, they only listen but a problem shared is a problem halved. good luck.

MooseJam

if they can't give advice what would a typical reply be ?

ironictoaster

Orlee wrote:

- (samaritans)

This came from another post but I didn't want to be diverting the conversation

I've thought about contacting these guys before but I just dont know where to start.

I mean do you just literally mail them and say "Hi, I'm feeling like crap"? The thoughts of talking to someone makes me feel worse so i've just been pushing it all under the carpet and it's not getting any better. It's getting worse by the day. Do they just mail you back? I just can't get my head around the thoughts of spilling my heart to a complete stranger

Yep, I basically told them my situation and we talked about it, The people who you talk to are trained volunteers

The_Conductor

Orlee wrote:

- (samaritans)

This came from another post but I didn't want to be diverting the conversation

I've thought about contacting these guys before but I just dont know where to start.

I mean do you just literally mail them and say "Hi, I'm feeling like crap"? The thoughts of talking to someone makes me feel worse so i've just been pushing it all under the carpet and it's not getting any better. It's getting worse by the day. Do they just mail you back? I just can't get my head around the thoughts of spilling my heart to a complete stranger

The big benefit is that they are strangers, they are not going to know you or judge you. Just mailing them and saying "Hi, I'm feeling like crap" is a good start. There is no standard format- just simply talk to them in whatever way you are happy with. Just remember- they are there to help you- not to hinder you.

To be totally honest from personal experience- if you phone them, you can decide what or how much you want to tell them. You can also decide when or if to call back- without wondering about whether they have your e-mail address and everything that you have written down. Thats just my own thoughts.....

bakedbean

Orlee wrote:

- (samaritans)
The thoughts of talking to someone makes me feel worse so i've just been pushing it all under the carpet and it's not getting any better. It's getting worse by the day.

Hi Orlee. Sometimes the thought of talking to someone about how you're feeling is the worst bit. Once you've made that step you may be surprised at how sharing your thoughts with someone can give you some relief.

The Samaritans is a good place to start - its a safe, and completely confidential, place to talk about what's on your mind.

Email address: jo@samaritans.org

Talliesin

Orlee wrote:

I mean do you just literally mail them and say "Hi, I'm feeling like crap"?

That's a start.

spinandscribble

hmm i've contacted them once and thought it was great until they talked about angels and praying. not my cup of tea but still good.

Talliesin

spinandscribble wrote:

thought it was great until they talked about angels and praying

Whoah! That's pretty screwed up.

Really, however much they may have thought that was going to be beneficial (and for some people it would have been, but how are they to know), it's not appropriate for a volunteer counsellor to take that tack, and they should have known better.

spinandscribble

it sounded like a elderly woman and it was nice that she said she'd pray for me but being told to believe in my personal angel and asked if i prayed made me uncomfortable.