The Samaritans 24-hour multilingual hotline service gives confidential emotional support to people who are suicidal or are in general distress. Operated by unpaid, trained volunteers, people call or write to us because they may have reached a point in their lives where they can no longer cope alone. They may feel depressed and feel there is no one they can turn to, have lost someone close to them and have intense feelings of grief and sorrow, feel isolated or lonely, have suicidal thoughts and wonder what the point of living is, worried about someone close to them. Talking through their feelings with a Samaritan volunteer can often be a turning point in their lives. This can help alleviate the feeling of despair and provide immense relief, with someone listening, giving them time and attention, and acknowledging and respecting their feelings.