Episode 039: Samaritans
Kicking off Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, I sat down with a director from Samaritans to better understand what the charity is and does, and talk about how we can all do a better job of looking after ourselves - and each other.
Amanda has spent over a decade volunteering with Samaritans, the charity that answers a call for help every 10 seconds.
Founded 70 years ago by a vicar with a single phone, Samaritans has grown into a 24/7 lifeline for anyone who needs to talk, with more than 20,000 volunteers in the UK.
In this conversation, we talk about how we can be better listeners for friends, family and strangers.
We get into what really happens when you call the helpline - 116 123, how volunteers protect their own mental health, why listening can save lives, and the power of simply asking, “Are you OK?”
We also explore loneliness, talk about men’s mental health and suicide, the future of Samaritans, and what hope and possibility look like when life feels impossible.
