Everybody Needs a Helping Hand 

Everybody needs someone to talk to at some point in their life, someone who will listen and take them seriously, no matter what the problem. When you do, Samaritans is there. Whether you are feeling depressed, overwhelmed, experiencing a crisis or thinking about suicide, Samaritans hotline volunteers will listen, without any judgment, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Samaritans is a safe place to call. We are completely confidential and do not use caller ID, so you can choose to remain anonymous if you wish. Samaritans is a non-religious, not-for-profit organization that has operated our crisis response hotline for 30 years in the NYC-Metropolitan area answering over 1 million calls. Call Samaritans if you need someone to talk to!

 Samaritans Crisis Response Hotline

When You Need Someone to Talk To
(212) 673-3000

Free, immediately accessible 24-hour emotional support
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anonymous. Confidential.

Samaritans is a ‘Safe Place’ to Turn

Samaritans free, non-religious 24-hour emotional support and crisis response hotline is available on an immediate and ongoing basis for people who are dealing with every kind of problem, situation, illness, trauma or loss and need someone to talk to. And, our caring, professionally trained volunteers will listen as you try to cope with your difficulties and stresses.

The hotline is completely confidential and anonymous and, unlike some other hotline services, Samaritans does not utilize caller ID or any form of call-tracing, making Samaritans a safe place to turn during a time of distress or crisis.

“It was like the turmoil of an ocean inside me…In the middle of the night when I didn’t have anyone to talk with, you were there…Thank you for being the bridge in the middle of the night.” A Caller to Samaritans

Responds to Every Kind of Problem

Over the last 30 years, Samaritans hotline has responded to over 1,000,000 calls from people dealing with every kind of issue and personal, emotional or health-related problem imaginable. This includes depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, a dramatic loss, chronic or terminal illness, alcohol and substance abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, bullying, sexual identity issues, unemployment, etc.

Some of the issues people are dealing with are short-term, others last for a period of time and still others are ongoing aspects of an individual’s daily experience that he or she needs help coping with.

“I have called the Samaritans Hotline, not because I was suicidal, but because I needed someone to talk to, someone who would understand my feelings of helplessness, and sadness…They listened to me with great care, and treated me kindly.” A Caller to Samaritans

Why People Call Samaritans Hotline

Thousands of people have called Samaritans to talk about their relationships, their uncertainty about the future or where they are going. People call when they are experiencing feelings of depression, or anxiety, or emotional stress. People have discussed money issues, or difficulties at work, or with unemployment. Or a feeling of isolation, a recent loss, an addiction, or a traumatic experience. If you’re feeling suicidal, you can call us. If you’ve had a bad day, or an aching heart, you can call us. We’re here to talk, and to listen.

Every day, people call Samaritans for countless different reasons. Some call because they:

• feel scared or overwhelmed
• have something they’re afraid to talk about with anyone else
• are unable to afford help or professional treatment
• need to talk with someone between counseling or treatment sessions
• feel uncomfortable talking to family, friends, clergy or health professionals
• feel on the verge of some form of self-destructive behavioral or suicidal act and want help

“This is to thank all the volunteers at The Samaritans for helping me through a very trying week. I pray for you people daily to keep up the good work.” A Caller To Samaritans

What To Expect When You Call

When you call Samaritans you will be greeted by a warm and caring volunteer trained in active listening and providing emotional support who will ask how you are doing today and explore with you the thoughts and feelings you are having tied to what is going on in your life at the present time. He or she will also discuss with you the reason for your call and whatever challenges or difficulties you are facing and the anxieties or depressive feelings you are having without giving advice or expressing their own personal judgements.

Every caller to Samaritans–no matter what he or she says is their reason for calling–will be taken through a communications/risk assessment protocol to determine his/her current state of mind and degree of suicidal risk. When you call Samaritans, we ask if you are feeling suicidal.

Please note: Phone calls that are violent, threatening or abusive or where the caller is consistently unwilling or resistant to talk about his or her thoughts or feelings will be ended.

   Samaritans Crisis Response Hotline

When You Need Someone to Talk To
(212) 673-3000

Free, immediately accessible 24-hour emotional support
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anonymous. Confidential.