Free Online Counseling
Free Online Counseling from Befrienders
Use the search tool on the Befrienders website to find local resources by state and county in the USA.
From the Website of Befrienders.
Befrienders works to reduce suicide worldwide with 31,000 volunteers in almost 40 countries
Home Help & Support
Need to talk? Suicidal Feelings?
About us An estimated 1 million people kill themselves every year Many wouldn't if only they had someone to talk to We listen to people who are lonely, despairing or suicidal Listening saves lives
People who feel suicidal are often so focused on a particular problem or pain that they find it difficult to see a way forward. Talking openly to a befriender, in a safe and confidential environment, can help.
By listening to a suicidal person, a befriender helps them to listen to themselves.
The global contextAccording to the World Health Organisation (WHO) there are around 1 million suicides every year - and for every suicide, there are approximately 20 attempted suicides. There are also many others who may not be suicidal, but urgently need access to appropriate emotional support services. It is not simply up to governments or others to decide who they may or may not 'be able to help' and what services are provided, but that everyone has a responsibility and accountability to ensure that relevant rights are respected for all groups at risk. Formulated by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, "Principles for the protection of persons with mental illness and the improvement of mental health care" were adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1991. They provide guidance for services and for countering discrimination.
WHO stipulates that policies and services should include reducing the number of people who develop mental health problems and eliminating stigma associated with mental or emotional problems, and also provide effective interventions to all in need. Volunteer centers play a crucial role in all of these.
Befrienders Worldwide with Samaritans (UK & ROI)In 2003, Samaritans (UK & ROI) took on the former Befrienders International (now called Befrienders Worldwide) network of over 400 volunteer centers in 39 countries, across 6 continents. These centers provide help to those in need of emotional support, in order to reduce the number of people who die by suicide, and enable people to explore their feelings in an anonymous, confidential and non-judgmental environment.
Befrienders Worldwide aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience, to enable affiliated centers to provide effective services to people in emotional distress, and also to demonstrate the unique role of volunteer listening services to external contacts. It provides a unique opportunity to gather and share experiences from around the world in work with rural communities, prisons, young people, older people and other 'at-risk' groups, in wider emotional health projects and telephone, face-to-face, email and text messaging services. Based on these experiences, in turn the project also aims to help raise awareness concerning issues of emotional health and suicidal behaviour among governments, relevant international and national organisations and the general public. Click here for a general brochure about Befrienders Worldwide.
For maximum impact, we work in partnership with other networks to share our respective experiences and conduct joint initiatives. These include joint materials, sharing the platform at international conferences and linking with the World Health Orgnanisation (WHO) and International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). Click here for a joint brochure of Befrienders Worldwide, IFOTES and LifeLine International.
Member centersThere are member centers in Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China (Hong Kong), Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Kosovo UNMIK, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia & Montenegro, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Sweden, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Ukraine, United Kingdom (& ROI), USA and Zimbabwe. Click here for their contact details, or click here to download a list of centres worldwide.
Becoming a member If you are interested in becoming a member of Befrienders Worldwide, please refer to the section on Setting Up A Helpline which covers general issues to think about when providing a service, and then download an application pack.
Would You Share Something That You Are Grateful For?
When I was beginning my personal growth journey, a wise person told me that when I was feeling resentful or afraid or sad, that I should remember the phrase "gratitude is the attitude" when I was ready to feel better. That phrase has helped me feel better tens of thousands of times.
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