Englishman
Seven principles of Samiritans
The primary aim of The Samaritans is to be available at any hour of the day or night to befriend those passing through personal crises and in imminent danger of taking their own lives.
The Samaritans also seek to alleviate human misery, loneliness, despair and depression by listening to and befriending those who feel that they have no one else to turn to who would understand and accept them.
A 'caller' (someone who contacts The Samaritans by telephone, textphone, e-mail, letter, or visiting a Branch) does not lose the freedom to make their own decisions, including the decision to take their own life, and is free to break contact at any time.
The fact that a person has asked the help of The Samaritans, together with everything they have said, is completely confidential within the organisation, unless permission is freely given by the caller for all or a part of such information to be communicated to someone outside the organisation. A Samaritan volunteer is not permitted to accept confidences if a condition is made that not even the Director of the Branch should be informed.
Samaritan volunteers in befriending callers will be guided and actively supported by experienced 'leaders' who will have the advice, when required, of professional consultants.
In appropriate cases a caller will also be invited to consider seeking professional help in such fields as medicine and social work, and material help from other agencies.
Samaritan volunteers are forbidden to impose their own convictions or to influence callers in regard to politics, philosophy or religion.
Seven Practices
Samaritan volunteers are carefully selected and prepared by the local Branch in which they are to serve.
The Samaritans are available at all hours to callers, and may be contacted (anonymously if desired) by telephone, textphone, e-mail, letter or visit to a Branch..
When a caller is believed to be in danger of suicidal action, the Samaritan is particularly encouraged to ask the caller's permission for contact to be maintained during the crisis.
Samaritans offer longer-term befriending of callers where appropriate, while recognising that the Branch may from time to time have to set limits.
Samaritans listen to those concerned about the welfare of another person, and, if satisfied that the third person is despairing, depressed or suicidal, may discreetly offer befriending.
Samaritans are normally known to callers only by a forename and contacts by callers are made only through the Branch centre.
Samaritan Branches are banded together in legally constituted Association whose Council of Management represents all the Branches and reserves to itself the appointment of the person in charge of each Branch.
Radar
