The Samaritans: A Positive to Using the Internet in Suicide Prevention

The first suicide prevention hotline, dubbed the Samaritans, was created in 1953 by a vicar named Chad Varah in hopes to prevent suicides in the UK. (“Samaritans History”, 2011)

Now, the Samaritans, along with many other hotlines and groups around the world, use the internet as a resource to get in touch with at-risk suicidal youth. In addition to phones, many groups utilize chat rooms and e-mail to speak to their clients. While telephones do afford some anonymity, the internet is almost entirely anonymous. Some adolescents still living with their parents may find this useful as parents are more likely to monitor phone than internet usage. The internet also gives the client more control over the entire counseling process, which makes users feel safer. (Lester, 2009) In addition, when using an e-mail system, such as the Samaritans use, counselors are able to take more time in their replies and consult peers and supervisors before sending a reply. 

Here is a video describing some of the interactions between Samaritans and their clients

Sources: 

Lester, D. (2009). The Use of the Internet for Counseling the Suicidal Individual: Possibilities and Drawbacks. Omega, 58(3), 233.  Retrieved February 27, 2012, from Psychology Module. (Document ID: 1630786931).

http://mutex.gmu.edu:2048/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1630786931&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=31810&RQT=309&VName=PQD

 

"Samaritans History." Samaritans Home Page. Samaritans, 2011 Web. 27 Feb. 2012. <http://www.samaritans.org/about_samaritans/governance_and_history/samaritans_history.aspx>.