It seems there are a lot of people on here planning on CTB with sn over the next couple of days - me included. If you are alone (like I am) then know you can call Samaritans and they will talk to you and stay on the phone to you until you pass out. It is anonymous, they cant trace you and unless you tell them to call someone they wont call anyone. You can talk about anything you like. If like me you are scared of those moments between swallowing the sn and passing out they may be an option for you. I used them on my last attempt and may consider them again if it gets bad. And of course you always have the option to hang up. Its not for everyone but for the sake of a post if it helps someone in their time of needing to be heard ... well its here now. UK 116 123. Not sure about any other country x
UpandDownPrincess
Elementalist
- Dec 31, 2019
- 833
This is simply untrue. They have and will send emergency services to you. Do not trust them to help you ctb. Their stated mission is to prevent exactly that.
Suicide_vampire
In Vino Veritas
- Feb 11, 2020
- 426
The Samaritans will call emergency services, they have too. I did the training for the Samaritans many years ago and that was part of the training.
Curious is there a reason that so many are choosing to in the next few days, did I miss something.
So I have used Samaritans when taking an overdose and they did not call emergency services. They say they will call them if you ask them to but essentially if you dont tell them where you are then they are not able to. I am speaking from recent experience. I will be the first to admit they are not wonderful but they can be a voice on the end of the phone. However I would emphasise not to tell them where you are or who you are.
Jean4
Remember. I am ALWAYS right.... until I’m not
- Apr 28, 2019
- 7,557
Jean4
Remember. I am ALWAYS right.... until I’m not
- Apr 28, 2019
- 7,557
Carina
Angelic
- Dec 22, 2019
- 4,005
That's assuming they don't have caller ID, don't have any ability to track your call, or just don't follow what they've done in the past as others have apparently experienced. Sadly most numbers like that will call (actually 2 of the last steps outright say they will).
Sadly if you want "someone" with you , you practically have to rely on a board like this, or maybe a person you trust--and then still not directly.
Still, if you or others need to talk, massive forum here. Feel free!
Sadly if you want "someone" with you , you practically have to rely on a board like this, or maybe a person you trust--and then still not directly.
Still, if you or others need to talk, massive forum here. Feel free!
I'm more trustworthy lol.
In honesty I have never had a problem with them and I have used them 4 or 5 times a day for months on end, and I have spoken to them when I overdosed and I told them exactly what I was doing and taking etc and they stayed on the phone throughout ... so much so that I went unconscious with the phone in my hand and vomited whilst I was unconscious and totally fffed the phone!
Each to their own experience. Ive 18 months experience of using Samaritans, police have tried finding me and tracking calls and couldn't. Ive also used missing persons (complicated) and again the police couldn't find me, They do not have caller ID etc or they would have found me by now but I appreciate other people may have different views. I can only tell you my experience. They are pretty crap at giving advice or answering questions as to will this work etc though
Last edited:
I mean in theory it's a good idea I guess, and I know Samaritans are trained on what to expect from calls; I know they must hear some terrible, desperate stuff.. but I don't think I'd feel comfortable talking to someone while I was in the process of ctb, falling unconscious and leaving them to wonder what happened, never knowing if I lived or died.. possibly hearing me suffering on the end of the line. I think that would be harrowing for them and they would find it hard to forget it.
I quizzed them on this because I didn't believe it. They said they don't have caller ID and can't call anyone on you.
They said the only time they would call is if you gave them identifying info (sometimes if you are distaught they will suggest they call you back and so need a number) and if you were going to hurt someone else or perform a terrorist act.
I also asked what if someone called and wanted to anonymously report a suicide attempt. They replied that they would not interfere that it was against their pro choice policy.
They did indeed say that they would stay on the line whilst an attempt was being made. That shocked me.
I'm not advocating for the Samaritans, this is simply what they told me when asked. Is it true? Don't know. For all I know they do have caller ID and will call someone. However, in the past I've called them in a distaught state and they never called anyone on me.
This is the UK, don't know about elsewhere.
They said the only time they would call is if you gave them identifying info (sometimes if you are distaught they will suggest they call you back and so need a number) and if you were going to hurt someone else or perform a terrorist act.
I also asked what if someone called and wanted to anonymously report a suicide attempt. They replied that they would not interfere that it was against their pro choice policy.
They did indeed say that they would stay on the line whilst an attempt was being made. That shocked me.
I'm not advocating for the Samaritans, this is simply what they told me when asked. Is it true? Don't know. For all I know they do have caller ID and will call someone. However, in the past I've called them in a distaught state and they never called anyone on me.
This is the UK, don't know about elsewhere.
I would greatly trust this group over hotlines. If you ask the group often times people will be on the phone with you if you want. Honestly I would've loved to document for people or at least to be on Skype or FaceTime with them through their last moments but I have children in the house.
people will also be there to hold your hand through the forum if you post through your last moments. Myself included people tend to track goodbye threads carefully.
people will also be there to hold your hand through the forum if you post through your last moments. Myself included people tend to track goodbye threads carefully.
Yes I think this forum is probably more understanding but if police check your phone .... I wouldn't want anyone in trouble because they were the last person called, and I wouldn't want to risk this forum etc. I guess there are ways round it - withholding phone numbers etc. Something to think about particularly in the UK where the law is an arse!
It's fairly easy to get around accountability. I can simply say I had no idea what your intentions were. I was simply just trying to make a new friend. Especially if the person is in a different country than you are, and doesn't know where you live. It would be quite difficult for anyone to really call for help for you if you called them and they have no idea where you are, so in that situation they would not have your phone number or your address.
Clut
Member
- Feb 28, 2020
- 68
I did a course at my work run by MIND and they said Samaritans aren't allowed to call for help. Insane that they would spread misinformation like that, obviously I believe what you're saying because you trained with them but why would MIND say this? So weird!
To call for help in the UK you only need to have a persons mobile number - the police track it within seconds. Someone done it to me ... on a crisis chat line believe it or not!
I wish it worked that way in America I had to call the fire department ones because I saw a building on fire, and they were like we can't track a cell phone!
Believe me its not always helpful .... I chatted with a crisis line, calmed down and then the police turned up at my door and set me off again.
Suicide_vampire
In Vino Veritas
- Feb 11, 2020
- 426
It was over 20 years ago I did training I guess policy could have changed, I wouldn't want to spread misinformation in light of what others are saying
Clut
Member
- Feb 28, 2020
- 68
Mm80
Enlightened
- May 15, 2019
- 1,604
Would it be illegal for someone here to stay with you on the phone and not call emergency services? The samaritans can do it legally ?
The law on assisted suicide here is patchy. NOT doing an act to save someone's life is fine - thats not a crime, so not calling for an ambulance is ok but any act that encourages or assists the act of suicide is illegal. So suggestion of drugs, timings, encouragement that it is the right thing etc etc is a crime. Even giving the telephone number for dignitas is considered as encouragement. The law is troublesome on this area and different forces seem to view it differently. As in the states, our counties police in different ways although the law is the same thoughout UK. One county may prosecute but another may not - personally think its a political thing and making the numbers up but thats another story! Technically the crime happened wherever the assisted suicide took place so the UK could prosecute someone anywhere in the world but I think thats a little far fetched and wouldn't happen. Depends if that officer is having a rough day I guess! That seems to be the way it works.
Sorry if I am rambling - going through a tough time tonight! Brain jumping all over the place.
If questioned you would have to prove that you did not encourage at all but not calling the ambulance is not an offence.
Last edited:
Mm80
Enlightened
- May 15, 2019
- 1,604
No its fine not rambling at all. Its quite interesting. I feel sad that its come to the point where you would have to turn to the samaritans in your final minutes. To me it says something about how sick our society is, and people cannot get their thick skulls why people are preferring to ctb than live in this world.
Its like those stupid posts people put on social media saying something like... My door is always open. Come to mine anytime for a cup of tea and a chat anytime. #suicide awareness. They mean well, but i really want to scream... SUICIDAL PEOPLE DONT GO SEARCHING FOR FUCKING HELP THEY ARE TOO FAR GONE.
Sorry about the rant.
Thanks
I get that. My daughter put a post up saying talk to me about mental health, I am always here blah blah blah and yet her own mother ... oh no, door is closed!
There is a big thing in the UK that some forces are prosecuting people who have accompanied people to dignitas ... I think it's something like 16 people prosecuted and only 4 of them got convicted (dont quote me on that ... memory vague). All they did was get on the plane with them and sit with them and hold their hand but by getting on the plane etc 'some' forces see that as assisting. The advice now is that the suicidal goes first and then the accompanying person travels the next day or something. Its pathetic considering all we have to go through to get into dignitas .... BUT (ranting now) VSED is legal if done in a hospice with some sort of legal document prior to it and can be supported by doctors and nurses. As I said the law here is an arse and not really logical.
The doctor cannot give you a bit more morphine than you need to knock you off a few days early but can give you the morphine whilst you suffer the symptoms of VSED. Come on Government - sort it out!
*advanced directive is the word I was looking for - legal document
Last edited:
Mm80
Enlightened
- May 15, 2019
- 1,604
The crazyness of that for me is that the crime is surely commited abroad if they are being technical?
I think suicide is still seen as morally weak and the easy way out. I see it morally strong (as long as someone is sure and has thought it thoroughly) its making space for people who do want to live, people who do need the hospital bed, the home, the job. Its not sticking around moaning and bringing others down with things out of our control, its taking control.
The sooner the uk recognise mental suffering as terminal for some, set up stringent rules but allow peope who are ready, to ctb safely and peacefully, the better. And paradoxically, i think less people would ctb.
I think suicide is still seen as morally weak and the easy way out. I see it morally strong (as long as someone is sure and has thought it thoroughly) its making space for people who do want to live, people who do need the hospital bed, the home, the job. Its not sticking around moaning and bringing others down with things out of our control, its taking control.
The sooner the uk recognise mental suffering as terminal for some, set up stringent rules but allow peope who are ready, to ctb safely and peacefully, the better. And paradoxically, i think less people would ctb.
I am not proud to be English! I have studied the law in certain areas and it really doesn't make sense which means it is up to the judge on the day. Suicide law seems to vary from officer to officer. Its ridiculous. I have just quoted what the legislation says but the reality is, the police do whatever they bloody like!
Similar threads
Suicide Discussion
Thisisnotaname
