mEDICAL Emergency? Call 911 and ask for Advice. 

Need to Talk? Call The Samaritans of RI. 

Not ready to talk? Learn more about what happens on our Hotline/Listening Line by reading below.

SUMMARY - Q&A about Hotline/Listening Line.

• Emergency? Please call 911 directly. Learn more from our Suicide Emergency Checklist and At the ER web pages.
• Hotline/Listening line coverage may vary depending on the availability of volunteers within a 24- hour period.
• You don’t have to be suicidal to call a Samaritan volunteer. Sometimes you just need someone to listen.
• There are no surveys to complete, and no diagnosis needed to speak to a Samaritans volunteer.
• All calls are free and confidential within the agency.
• In Rhode Island, looking for resource/referral information in your community? Visit our City and Town pages.*
• Other referrals are available through your state's United Way 211 or through the national-wide 988 program.

How would you best describe the Hotline/Listening Line?

Since 1977, The Samaritan’s 24-Hour Hotline/Listening Line has trained volunteers in non-judgmental, non-religious befriending skills to help callers of all ages who just need someone to listen. Sometimes, callers may be hopeless, alone, suicidal or seeking information to help a family member or friend.

Our ultimate goal is kindness.

Our line is a self-help model. Callers in need of someone to listen choose to call our line.

There is no formal caller-agency/volunteer relationship. We provide volunteer befriending and listening. We do not provide professional counseling or case management.

Often times, however, talking to a Samaritan can be the gateway to professional care. If you talk to a Samaritan volunteer, maybe you will then feel comfortable talking to a licensed medical or mental health professional.

When I call, will I be required to provide any information about myself?

We do not require callers in need of befriending or our hotline volunteers to provide their names or any identifying information. There are no surveys to complete. We do not have caller ID. All befriending calls are anonymous and confidential within the agency unless a caller asks a volunteer to call Emergency-911 on the callers behalf.

Who calls the Samaritans?

People from all walks of life and of all ages-no matter the issue. We are there to listen to people in crisis or who have recovered. We are there for persons calling because they are concerned for a loved one or friend. We are there to listen to the caregiver. Caregivers are welcomed to give our number to a loved one or friend so they may have some respite from being a caregiver. We are there to listen to someone experiencing loss or grief. We are there to listen when it seems no one else cares. Some people call once, some call for a short time, and others call for a lifetime. Some people call to say they are having a good day.

Do I have to be suicidal to call?

No. Samaritan volunteers are there to provide friendship and kindness to people in need of someone to listen no matter their reason for calling.

What happens when you call?

The Samaritan volunteer will say, “Samaritans, can I help you?” The next question we ask is, “Are you suicidal?” We ask the suicide question to determine if you would like us to call 911. If the answer is no, the volunteer is there to listen.

WILL THE SAMARITANSOF RI CALL 911?

If there is a medical emergency and one or more person's life is in danger, please call 911 directly. Explain the situation and ask for advice.

By our historic mission, we do not call 911 without the suicidal caller's permission. We DO NOT call 911 on behalf of family, friends or professionals.

How long are the calls?

That’s up to the caller, the volunteer and the situation. Most callers understand we receive hundreds of calls each month and volunteers need to be attentive and available to as many people as possible. On average, a befriending call lasts from 10 to 15 minutes.

How often can I call?

You can call as often as needed. Again, however, most callers understand we receive many calls throughout the day and volunteers need to help as many people as possible.

Will The Samaritans trace my call?

No. All calls are anonymous and confidential within the agency.

What is the hotline number?

You can reach The Samaritans at (401) 272-4044 or toll free in Rhode Island at (800) 365-4044.