Support Samaritans to recruit more helpline volunteers

Samaritans' mission is to reduce deaths by suicide. Right now we don't have enough volunteers to answer all of the calls to our helpline. We need donations more than ever, from generous people like you, to recruit more volunteers.

Nationwide, every year, 20,000 people attempt to take their own life and, tragically, last year, there were 47 suspected deaths by suicide in the Wellington region.

Any donation you can spare will be put towards targeted advertising, recruitment and training of volunteers. With more volunteers, we'll be able to answer more phone calls from people in distress, and fewer calls for help will go unanswered.

Our next training course starts on 19 March 2022 but we urgently need funds in advance to be able to recruit new volunteers. Summer is a time when people set new goals and take up new volunteering opportunities. By recruiting volunteers, we also increase awareness of our helpline, at a time when the public need to know about us the most.

Our goal is to raise $10,000 before 19 March and introduce 40 new volunteers in 2022. Our volunteers will be trained and ready to provide support with compassion and empathy.

Anyone can call our helpline, 0800 72 66 66, day or night, for any reason, for free. New Zealanders have been calling us for 56 years. Callers value the confidentiality and anonymity we offer as it allows them to discuss what's really going on in their lives, without fear of embarrassment, stigmatization, or repercussions.

Samaritans receive no Government funding and this year we've received less grant funding than in the past. Covid has hit us hard financially, forcing us to cancel many fundraising events including our annual Street Appeal.

Please help us by donating today. Donations of $5 and over are tax-deductible. As this is a charitable donation, you can claim back 33% of your donation at tax time.