Samaritans of RI is a suicide prevention and education center for the state of R.I. Our major purpose is to maintain a 24 hour hot line/listening line to offer befriending to people who are alone, hopeless, distressed, depressed or suicidal.

Description:
24 Hour Hot line/Listening Line

Since 1977, trained volunteers have used non-judgmental, non-religious befriending skills to ease the emotional pain or crisis of more than 500,000 callers of all ages who are lonely, depressed, suicidal or seeking information to help a family member or friends. As requested, callers can be referred to our community partners for professional mental health services. All calls are confidential and anonymous.

Safe Place Support Group

There's a Safe Place to talk each Tuesday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Our support group provides a non-threatening environment where caring people who have experienced loss through suicide can share their feelings. It is a self-help model in which members help each other through mutual understanding and support. This free program is open to adult family members, close friends and co-workers of people who have died by suicide.

Outreach and Community Education

Each year, The Samaritans' work to prevent suicides by providing presentations to raise public awareness of suicide and its risk factors. These presentations include a growing effort to reach out to special populations including youth, the elderly, as well as racial and ethnic minorities. Call to schedule a presentation.

Youth & Teen Suicide Prevention Education

As mandated by the R.I. General Laws, the Samaritans work with the R.I. Departments' of Education and Health to provide suicide prevention education to teachers, counselors, parents and young people. Presentations are also made on college campuses. Due to funding restrictions, The Samaritans can only offer a limited number of programs per academic year. Offered on a first come, first serve basis, the school-based program operates from November 1st through June 30th. Call to schedule a presentation.

History:
The Samaritans have befriended over 500,000 people in the last 25 years.

We believe and work to inform others that:

Those who are at risk for suicide should not be stigmatized from seeking help.

Voluntary befriending those in need can be the gateway to a lifetime of family and community support as well as health and mental health services.

Seeking support, by those "survivors" who are left behind by a loved one's suicide, should be viewed as a strength, not a weakness and the first step in working to resume a full life.

Community based partnerships in information and awareness-raising helps reduce the stigma of suicide.

Community service in suicide prevention is key to supporting those in need.

Contact person: Denise Panichas, Interim Director/Business Line, (401) 272-4243, (email)
Office fax number: (401) 272-4516

Address:

P. O. Box 9086 Providence, RI 02940

Miscellaneous Information

Handicap accessible?
	Yes
Interests Served:
	Helping People in Crisis
Does your agency accept court-appointed volunteers?
	Yes
What type of organization
	Nonprofit 501(c)(3)