Samaritans

Voluntary organization aiding those tempted to suicide or despair, established in 1953 in the UK. Groups of lay people, often consulting with psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and doctors, offer friendship and counselling to those using their emergency telephone numbers, day or night. In 1994 Samaritans began operating an e-mail service.

The Samaritans organization was founded at St Stephen's Church, Walbrook, London, by the rector Chad Varah (1911–2007), and subsequently extended throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland. International branches are operated through the offshoot organization Befrienders Worldwide. Though the organization does not have a religious affiliation, its name is inspired by the story of the ‘good Samaritan’ of the New Testament, who aided an injured traveller who had been attacked and robbed, instead of ‘walking by on the other side of the road’.