Samaritans... waste of time

LegacyUser

I don't understand why its so hard.

In an moment of desperation I rang them as a last resort....

All the said was "We don't give advice... we just listen".. thats fine but where do I turn to to get help? I've tried everything and this was my last resort because people say they can help if you tell them your problems but they just kept saying they don't help anyone.. they just listen... I can save a call and just talk to the wall if thats the case.

I don't know where else to turn but I don't understand why the service bothers if thats how they help.

dudara

Sometimes, all people need is someone to listen and that can help to turn things around.

In your case, you appear to need some professional help. What steps have you taken to seek more focussed help?

themadchef

Some people who ring the Samaritans have no one to talk to, no one to listen to their story. Sometimes all people need is to let it all out. Have someone listen as you cry, or scream.... or just to know that there's someone on the end of the line if youre feeling low. Hardly talking to the wall.

They are not a legal, medical or financial advice service, they cant tell you how to fix your problems, but there are professionals out there who can.

trio

None of those helplines are legally allowed to give out advice, as far as I know.

I think the only direction they are allowed to legally give to the caller is "I think you should contact your GP" if appropriate.

But most people contact those helplines not for solutions, but to have someone who will listen and be non-judgemental.

It sounds like you need someone like a licensed professional counsellor. But even then they can only encourage you to figure out your own best advice.

LegacyUser

what they can do is give u their full attention, its your time for u to be yourself. in todays world its hard to get someones undivided attention....this is what they will give u...as a result u they may be able to help u focus on ur options

Senna

These are people who volunteer their free time just so they can maybe help or make a difference in people life's. Far enough they didn't help you, but is this post just to complain about the Samaritans or are you looking for help?
I'll told any comments till you answer that.

LegacyUser

Hi OP, I know what you mean. Some years back I phoned the Samaratins at a very difficult time. I spoke with a middle aged woman who sounded so disengaged and uninterested in what I had to say (I was not asking for advice). It was so difficult to get talk from her and I felt it was completely one-sided so I had to give up in the end. This made me feel much worse and frustrated that the people we are asked to call in a crisis situation didn't really show any interest. That's my experience and I would not call again, regardless of any situation I am in.

Homer Sexual

They ARE a waste of time. I rang them a month ago, and they just put on a tape of, "Yeah... Mm Hm. Yes.. mmm. I see... "

JohnGalt

Unregistered wrote: »

I don't understand why its so hard.

In an moment of desperation I rang them as a last resort....

All the said was "We don't give advice... we just listen".. thats fine but where do I turn to to get help? I've tried everything and this was my last resort because people say they can help if you tell them your problems but they just kept saying they don't help anyone.. they just listen... I can save a call and just talk to the wall if thats the case.

I don't know where else to turn but I don't understand why the service bothers if thats how they help.

Well it sometimes takes time. This is a hard time for you, and I understand that, but I would not give up on the samaritans. Good luck trying again with them mate

jhegarty

Unregistered wrote: »

I don't know where else to turn.

How about trying here ?

Karen_*

I've rang the samaritans and found them unhelpful and condescending. My sister has the same experience. I'm here if you'd like someone to talk to OP. And so are the rest of the boards.

JohnGalt

Karen_* wrote: »

I've rang the samaritans and found them unhelpful and condescending. My sister has the same experience. I'm here if you'd like someone to talk to OP. And so are the rest of the boards.

In fairness they don't want to talk to you, OP try the Samaritans again, good luck, depression, a subcategory of affective disorder can occur in two ways, uni polar depression refers to the state when the subject is either in a melancholy state of mind (depression) or a highly elated one (mania). In uni polar depression the state does not vary, but remains one or the other. In the case of bi polar depression the subject's state can vary between mania and depression, but this is a less common disorder, so I will stick to unipolar depression. In the case of depression (you don't appear to be suffering from mania) it can again be broken down into two categories, reactive and endogenous. Reactive depression is what most people think of when they hear the word depression. It is not based on a biological factor or factors but is rather in response to a very clear psychological trauma, for example the death of a spouse. Those suffering from reactive depression exhibit less extreme symptoms, but they are usually not treatable in terms of drugs. The symptoms usually pass over time. Endogenous depression is due to a physiological problem, often considered to be associated with the neurotransmitter Monoamine. It can not be traced to an obvious psychological trauma and its symptoms are more severe. However, endogenous depression can be treated. The use of Monamine oxidase inhibitors or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors has been know to reduce symptoms significantly, but do have a number of side effects, and have been known to worsen the situation. Good luck whatever road you take dude.

Nevyn

The Samaritans are not a counseling service they are an online listening service for people who are on the edge of killing themselves so that they don't.