Has emailing Samaritans helped anyone?

[Misty Avich]

While it's good for me to get things off my chest anonymously to someone online with the knowledge that they won't judge me, sometimes I feel it's pointless. Although most of the time I don't really want advice, just empathy and reassurance, but when I did want advice they were like "sorry we aren't here to advise you on anything" so I wasn't sure which way to turn in my latest anxiety-inducing situation.
Also I needed to talk about the internet bullying/gaslighting I've experienced before but they seem to avoid talking about that, as if to say "nope, not going there".
And lastly, it's like they don't always know what to say in response to my anxieties. They ask a question that I've already answered in a previous email, not because they forgot what I said but moreso because they don't know what else to say, then they seem impatient if I don't answer the question, so I find myself just repeating myself and getting nowhere.

I will carry on getting things off my chest to them because of feeling safe in the knowledge that they won't curtly give a judgemental response, as I feel anxious when I feel people are judging me in their responses.

Has anyone else here had support from Samaritans? Did it help?

 

[tree]

https://www.samaritans.org/about-samaritans/our-organisation/what-we-do/

 

[Fino]

How about crisis text line? It doesn't have to be a crisis to talk to them.

https://www.crisistextline.org/

 

[Suzanne]

I used to phone them and some actually did help.

One time, we had to move and I was pushed to pack the entire house up ( ok, it wasn't huge lol). I was freaking out so much and had a huge meltdown ( before diagnosis). I phoned and explained my situation and she asked what I had done so far, so I said that I had diverted our mail to our new address and she hugely complimented me and said that most would not do that and I should give myself a pat on the back for being practical ( this was at a time of not knowing myself at all). It actually motivated me to set my alarm and pack. I did this and when I had packed nearly all, I realised I had got up several hours too early!

As far as I am aware, they do not give advice; they are there to listen, so that we can relief our anxieties etc.

I know turn to my God, Jehovah and He relieves my anxieties.

 

[Misty Avich]

I don't know how it works where you are, but when my phone tries to download updates, software updates for the phone and app updates, I get a warning message that says I might have to pay extra for the downloads if I'm not connected to wifi. And it will be added to my phone bill. So that's why I mentioned it, in case it's the same where you are.

But anyway, your phone bill seems to be unusually high and it's strange that they don't send you a bill with all the info and details, they usually do that I think. So you should definitely look into it more. Sounds like you are paying extra for something you are not aware of.

That is really good.
I did not either
That is something to be proud of.

I used to phone them and some actually did help.

One time, we had to move and I was pushed to pack the entire house up ( ok, it wasn't huge lol). I was freaking out so much and had a huge meltdown ( before diagnosis). I phoned and explained my situation and she asked what I had done so far, so I said that I had diverted our mail to our new address and she hugely complimented me and said that most would not do that and I should give myself a pat on the back for being practical ( this was at a time of not knowing myself at all). It actually motivated me to set my alarm and pack. I did this and when I had packed nearly all, I realised I had got up several hours too early!

I'm glad they helped you. Maybe it depends on the situation. I mostly cry to them about my troublesome neighbours but the only solution to this problem is to move but I need some support and advice about this, as I struggle to do it online and my husband isn't very computer savvy.

As far as I am aware, they do not give advice; they are there to listen, so that we can relief our anxieties etc.

Usually I don't want advice and that's always the first thing people on the internet give me when I'm just pouring my heart out. But then when I do want advice I don't/can't get any. Lol

 

[Bolletje]

The organization doesn’t exist in my country, but I’ve made use of similar services.
My psychiatrist’s organization has a crisis hotline I’ve used several times when I was experiencing very high stress and started feeling (self-)destructive. I’ve also used the National suicide hotline twice before I had a psychiatrist. Their generally pragmatic approach has helped me.

I know they can’t solve my problems, but if they can help me regain enough composure to not do anything drastic until my next appointment with a healthcare provider, that’s a successful interaction for me.

 

[lovely_darlingprettybaby]

While it's good for me to get things off my chest anonymously to someone online with the knowledge that they won't judge me, sometimes I feel it's pointless. Although most of the time I don't really want advice, just empathy and reassurance, but when I did want advice they were like "sorry we aren't here to advise you on anything" so I wasn't sure which way to turn in my latest anxiety-inducing situation.
Also I needed to talk about the internet bullying/gaslighting I've experienced before but they seem to avoid talking about that, as if to say "nope, not going there".
And lastly, it's like they don't always know what to say in response to my anxieties. They ask a question that I've already answered in a previous email, not because they forgot what I said but moreso because they don't know what else to say, then they seem impatient if I don't answer the question, so I find myself just repeating myself and getting nowhere.

I will carry on getting things off my chest to them because of feeling safe in the knowledge that they won't curtly give a judgemental response, as I feel anxious when I feel people are judging me in their responses.

Has anyone else here had support from Samaritans? Did it help?

It is hard, I have often feared judgment as well, the last thing u need as an autistic is others cutting you down.
I do not like criticisms and judgments, I am sensitive and things cut me bad
I do not like others saying I am incapable because I may be in some areas but it does not make me not an intelligent and fairly accomplished woman.
As an autistic you will always struggle and be incapable in some areas and that needs compassion, understanding and support. And it is ok to be incapable and no shame and you may be really talented but yes no way known as a autistic do you have it all together or are accomplished or capable in all areas or you can put on that front or keep it.
You will always fall flat on ur face.
It is hard I get hurt when people hurt me and I only like to hear positive things about myself.

 

[Misty Avich]

It is hard, I have often feared judgment as well, the last thing u need as an autistic is others cutting you down.
I do not like criticisms and judgments, I am sensitive and things cut me bad
I do not like others saying I am incapable because I may be in some areas but it does not make me not an intelligent and fairly accomplished woman.
As an autistic you will always struggle and be incapable in some areas and that needs compassion, understanding and support. And it is ok to be incapable and no shame and you may be really talented but yes no way known as a autistic do you have it all together or are accomplished or capable in all areas or you can put on that front or keep it.
You will always fall flat on ur face.
It is hard I get hurt when people hurt me and I only like to hear positive things about myself.

I get anxious when someone gives me a curt response that is subtly calling me a child or is implying that they think I'm a bad person.