Affiliations
International
According 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 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 centres play a crucial role in all of these.
Befrienders Worldwide
Befrienders listen to people who are lonely, despairing or considering suicide. They don’t judge them or tell them what to do. They listen. People who feel suicidal are often so focused on a particular problem or pain that they find it difficult to see a way forward. By listening to a suicidal person, a befriender helps them listen to themselves.
Befrienders worldwide is a membership network which provides a unique opportunity for the exchange of knowledge and experience, to enable affiliated centers to provide effective services to people in emotional distress. It also demonstrates the special role of volunteer listening services to external contacts and helps raise awareness on issues of emotional health and suicidal behaviour with governments, relevant international and national organisations and the general public.
31, 000 trained volunteers
401 centres
38 countries
6 continents
Aims
We aim to encourage the development of effective support services, and by sharing information and working together, improve our ability to:
- Ensure maximum access for callers for appropriate emotional support services
- Demonstrate effective service policy and practice
- Share information and offer mutual support
- Influence policy internally and externally
- Encourage appropriate research
Volunteer Emotional Support Helplines (VESH)
Befrienders worldwide (38 countries):
Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China (Hong Kong), Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia & Montenegro, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, ST. Vincent & Grenadines, Sudan, Sweden, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Ukraine, UK & ROI, USA & Zimbabwe.
IFOTES (International Federation of Telephone emergency services) 28 countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Columbia, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia. Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine.
Lifeline International in 19 countries
Australia, Botswana, Canada, China, Fiji, Ghana, Korea, Liberia, Namibia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, South Africa, Taiwan, Tonga, USA.
Our Common Aims:
- We aim to ensure maximum access to effective services for people in distress through:
- The promotion of best practice
- Facilitation of information sharing amongst members and externally
- Representation of members’ experiences internationally
- Encouragement of the development of new services in the areas of need
- The promotion of communications skills which contribute to emotional health.
Local
In order to maximize service provision, The Samaritans are affiliated, at a local community level, with:
- West Australian Association of Mental Health (WAAMH),
- West Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS),
- Youth Affairs Council of WA (YACWA),
- Volunteering WA
- Our Community
- Go Volunteer
- Armadale Volunteer Resource Centre
- Bassendean Volunteer Centre
- City of Cockburn Volunteer Resource Centre
- Nedlands Volunteering Centre
- Peel Volunteer Resource Centre
- Swan Volunteers
- Vic for Life Volunteering