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Sometimes emotional pain can be overwhelming. The pain and hopelessness of depression can sometimes make it seem like there is no use in going on. Volunteers on the contact hotline are available mornings, afternoon, and evenings every day to listen and provide support. A compassionate, nonjudgmental, listening ear can be helpful in a time of crisis when there is no one else to turn to. Samaritans Contact Hotline is anonymous and confidential and can be accessed by dialing (518) 689-4673 (HOPE).
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Emotional support is provided by trained Volunteers on the Samaritans Contact Hotline.
Are you a good listener, with the will to help your community and a little free time on your hands? Samaritans Contact telephone Hotline needs volunteers to give compassionate, nonjudgmental emotional support to callers in distress and crisis. Volunteers are screened for suitability, but no certificates or educational requirements are needed to enter the training program. Volunteers undergo a 32-hour training program, learning skills in active listening , building rapport and crisis intervention. Volunteers must be willing to commit nine months of service – one five-hour shift per week – to the hotline. Volunteers are provided with ongoing supervision and continuing education upon successful graduation. Upcoming orientation sessions will give potential volunteers more information about the helpline and Samaritans. Those who want to volunteer for the helpline must attend a one-hour orientation session, scheduled in the month prior to training beginning. For flyer please click here
Please call or Email
Program Director
Jill Ordonez
(518) 462-6531
For every one suicide, there are as many as six people closely affected by that suicide. In the Capital Region there may be over 500 new survivors every year. Surviving the suicide of a loved one or friend may be one of the most painful and challenging experiences of a lifetime. “Survivors,” or someone who has lost a loved one or friend to suicide, also represent the largest mental health casualty as a result of suicides. Painful feelings such as guilt, anger, regret and self-doubt are common to many suicide survivors. Because of this, survivors often benefit from special support, especially survivor- to-survivor support. Samaritans offers copmpassionate outreach to survivors of suicide in the aftermath of a suicide. Call 462-6531 ext 126 for more information on survivor services.
Samaritans survivor support groups are faciliated by trained volunteers, including suicide survivors many years beyond their loss. Samaritans offers support groups that meet in Albany, Rensselear and Schenectady Counties.
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Call 462-6531 ext 126 for more details.
Every year Samaritans hosts a beautiful event for families and friends to remember their loved ones who have died of suicide. The program includes speakers on grief and loss, surviving suicide, and a surviving suicide attempt, as well as an open speak-out, an audio-visual presentation and music. Food and drink is served at a reception immediately following the program where participants and Samaritans volunteers have an opportunity to meet each other and share stories. To register online for the 2010 Samaritans Remembrance Ceremony please click here.
Suicide Prevention and Awareness Education: Every year 90 people die of suicide in the Greater Capital Region. Many are suffering from illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse, or have recently experienced life situations such as breakup, divorce, physical illness, financial problems, and the affects of trauma. One proven method of preventing suicide is by educating people in the community about the warning signs and risk factors of suicide. Once these “Gatekeepers” are aware of what to look for, they are better able to identify someone who may be considering suicide and able to refer them for professional help. Samaritans is available to educate schools and professional groups as well as civic, religious and social organizations. Interactive educational programs cover myths and facts regarding the incidence of suicide and its connection to mental illness, as well as warning signs, risk and protective factors for suicide, and resources for assistance and treatment.
