Samaritans provides free, confidential support to anyone struggling to cope, any time of day or night. The service is reachable in the UK and Ireland by calling 116 123 at no cost from landlines or mobiles, including pay-as-you-go phones with no credit or call allowance. The number does not appear on phone bills.
In the United States, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline operates around the clock. Callers and texters can reach it by dialing or texting 988. The U.S. Samaritans helpline is also available at (877) 870-4673, with support offered in more than 240 languages through a tele-interpreter service.
The UK service operates across more than 200 branches and locations. Samaritans said it aims to connect callers to a volunteer immediately, though wait times vary depending on how many volunteers are available at a given moment. Some branches also offer in-person visits; opening times are listed on the Samaritans website, and the organization recommends calling ahead to arrange a time.
Samaritans describes its approach as non-directive. Volunteers do not make decisions for callers or offer opinions. If a caller wants referrals to specialist organizations, volunteers can provide contact details for services that address specific situations.
Confidentiality is central to how the service operates. When someone calls 116 123, their number is not visible to the volunteer — the phones used by branches do not display caller information. Volunteers may ask for a name in the course of conversation, but callers are not required to give one. If a caller later encounters the same volunteer in public, the volunteer will not acknowledge the caller unless the caller does so first.
Email support through Samaritans UK is being phased out over the course of 2026. The organization said the process is gradual and that phone and in-person services remain available throughout. Web chat is in a limited pilot and is not yet widely accessible.
The service is open to anyone, not only those in acute crisis. Samaritans said people contact it for a wide range of reasons — ongoing difficulties, sudden problems or simply the need to talk — and that no concern is too small to bring to a volunteer.
For those who prefer written contact, letters can be sent to Samaritans branches. The organization aims to respond within seven days. A name and return address are required to receive a reply, and incoming letters are shredded once a response has been sent.
Anyone in the UK or Ireland who needs support can call Samaritans free on 116 123. In the United States, call or text 988, or call the Samaritans helpline at (877) 870-4673.
