In 2019, there were 5,691 suicides in England and Wales; men aged 45-49 still have the highest rate of suicide and men are significantly more affected. There was a 10.8% increase in suicide deaths from 2018 to 2019; the rate for females under the age of 25 has increased by 93.8% since 2012. Whilst official figures have not been released for 2020, the effects of the pandemic are disproportionally felt by those who are more vulnerable in society and exacerbate factors known to heavily relate to suicide.

In the six months since social distancing restrictions began, Samaritans provided emotional support to callers over 1,200,000 times. 1 in 4 of those conversations had been with someone who was expressing suicidal thoughts or behaviours.

Samaritans are there, day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. Samaritans is not only for the moment of crisis, they take action to prevent the crisis. Samaritans give people ways to cope and the skills to be there for others. And they encourage, promote and celebrate those moments of connection between people that can save lives. 

The charity offers listening and support to people and communities in times of need. In prisons, schools, hospitals and on the rail network, Samaritans work with people who are going through a difficult time and train others to do the same.

Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, and Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide. That’s why they work tirelessly to reach more people and make suicide prevention a priority.

Every year, Samaritans volunteers spend over one million hours answering calls for help via their unique 24-hour listening service, email, letter and face to face.

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