Athlone Samaritans
Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide. The organisation works to achieve this vision by making it its mission to alleviate emotional distress and reduce the incidence of suicidal feelings and suicidal behaviour. It does this by:
• Being available 24 hours a day to provide emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of emotional distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.
• Reaching out to high-risk groups and communities to reduce the risk of suicide.
• Working in partnership with other organisations, agencies and experts to achieve Samaritans’ vision.
• Influencing public policy and raising awareness of the challenges of reducing suicide.
Samaritans is committed to the following values:
• Listening, because exploring feelings alleviates distress and helps people to reach a better understanding of their situation and the options open to them.
• Confidentiality, because if people feel safe, they are more likely to be open a bout their feelings.
• People making their own decisions, wherever possible, because Samaritans believes that people have the right to find their own solution and telling people what to do takes responsibility away from them.
• Being non-judgemental, because Samaritans wants people to be able to talk to the organisation without fear of prejudice or rejection.
• Human contact, because giving people time, undivided attention and empathy meets a fundamental emotional need and reduces distress and despair.