The Bournemouth Samaritans The Psychiatric Adviser is Dr. Doris M. Odium. At the time this article was written the Director was the Rev. Eric Evans. The Director is now The Rev. Canon Church. five thousand people delibertake their own lives in England and Wales each year and it is estimated that some thirty-five thousand make an attempt to do so. Towns which appear to have a high standard of living generally seem to have a higher suicide rate than the simpler and more rural communities. In order to combat the suicide rate and afford help to those tempted to suicide or in great despair, the Reverend Chad Varah nine years ago formed "The Samaritans" in London. Many churchmen, believing that the Church is the Body of Christ on earth, and that, therefore, we should extend Our Lord's compassion to all men, whether Christian or not, have realised that a ministry such as the Reverend Chad Varah has exercised in London is desperately needed in most large centres of population. To exercise this ministry more effectively and seeing the need for this in of branch the Bournemouth, a Samaritans was founded in the town The work is on 6th March, 1961. based on St. Peter's Church (Parish Church of the town) and for the past 15 months has been under the direction of the Senior Curate. To assess the results of this work is not easy and for a priest to speak of spiritual results is almost presumptuous, but clergy engaged in this work know full well the effects which it has upon those in need. In Bournemouth four main groups
OVER ately
134
of people comprise the Samaritans: 1. Consultants. A few doctors, including a psychiatric adviser, and some solicitors and other persons, who are specialists in their own particular fieldThe legal and medical advisers do not normally see Samaritan clients themselves, but advise the Director, or a counsellor, on a particular issueThere is the closest liaison between the Samaritans and staff of the Bournemouth M.O.H. and the Borough We'" fare Authorities and various voluntary The agencies. police co-operate readily with the Samaritans, often referring people to them. 2. Counsellors. A few clergy, together with lay people, who by their character, personality and training' are particularly suited for this work3. Telephone Operators. By far the largest group and the backbone ? the service. These people man tn Samaritan number (Bournemout 21999) 24 hours a day. 4. Friends. A group of people ^ are prepared to undertake any J visit people in their own homes, ta them ouf and "hold the .
generally
hand" over a crisis period. n In addition there is a group Kn as the Flying Squad. These consist about 12 people with motor cars, W a are prepared to be called out at ^ hour of the day or night and visi ^ person when an emergency has The police and doctors have ot js called upon us in this way. There also close co-operation between
arl^e
Bournemouth Association for Mental Health and the Samaritans and a
joint
series
lectures
of
is
Age Groups Men
being
,, ?
arranged.
154
is a list of statistics from March 5th, 1961 to June 21st, 1962. The best testimony to the efficiency of the local branch is the following extract from a letter to the Director from the Chief Constable of Bournemouth : During last year, 1961, the cases of attempted suicides showed a Marked decrease as you will see from the undermentioned figures:
Appended
.
Women between 20 and 40 years 85 ?
(Only
one
was
dealt with
SAMARITAN STATISTICS of cases dealt with from 6tli zfarch, 1961 to 21st June 1962?335. hey were classified, according to the "lajor factor involved, as follows: '? Accommcdation 23 3 Accommodation (temporary) 12 Alcoholic 4- Domestic (family not marital) 31
^uniber
18
Employment
Financial (debt and legal
43 14 18 63 19 39 14 21 17
difficulty) Z- Legal (police)
??L f
Loneliness Marital Medical
Psychological
Sexual A- Spiritual Others ?
Of these there Were
*~'X'U
were
39
actively sucidal.
cases
Personal level
who 335
Status Adult male clients
Married
87 53
Single
Divorced or separated Adult female clients
Married Single Divorced
or
separated
6
The wide variety of the cases dealt with has required an extremely flexible and well balanced approach and great demands have been made on all concerned. It is most encouraging that of the 335 cases only a very small proportion have failed to derive some help. The large majority have undoubtedly been given a new outlook and fresh courage with which to face life. Cases have been listed for record under the predominantly purposes presenting problem and many of these have been material, e.g. 43 cases financial, 14 legal, 23 accommodation and 18 employment, but it is noteworthy that in practically every case there were underlying problems of personality and disturbed relationships both human and spiritual. Even where it has not been possible to do a great deal to solve the material difficulties the personal help given by the Samaritans has practically always been of considerable benefit.
1959, 16, 1960, 19; 1961, 7;
that
60 30
200 cases have been closed.
15:
case
?
335
the Samaritans committed suicide).
?
60
175
?niprovement".
q
40 ? 60 years
Two male and 4 female clients under 20
and suicides also decreased from 30 to 28. I feel sure that you and your colleagues can justifiably take a large Measure of credit for this appreciable
,
over
.
1957, 18; 1958.
?y
between 20 and 40 years 80 40 and 60 years 57 ? over 60 years 17
15 119 35 20 135
The Samaritan Service demonstrates that the greatest help can be given by individuals working at a personal level without too much red tape or formality. Small groups are much more valuable in this field than< a large The ever increasing organisation. demands that will certainly be made for this type of personal service could lead to the loss of the informal individual approach. Every effort should be made to preserve it if the true essence of the Samaritan movement is to survive.
OVER ately
134
of people comprise the Samaritans: 1. Consultants. A few doctors, including a psychiatric adviser, and some solicitors and other persons, who are specialists in their own particular fieldThe legal and medical advisers do not normally see Samaritan clients themselves, but advise the Director, or a counsellor, on a particular issueThere is the closest liaison between the Samaritans and staff of the Bournemouth M.O.H. and the Borough We'" fare Authorities and various voluntary The agencies. police co-operate readily with the Samaritans, often referring people to them. 2. Counsellors. A few clergy, together with lay people, who by their character, personality and training' are particularly suited for this work3. Telephone Operators. By far the largest group and the backbone ? the service. These people man tn Samaritan number (Bournemout 21999) 24 hours a day. 4. Friends. A group of people ^ are prepared to undertake any J visit people in their own homes, ta them ouf and "hold the .
generally
hand" over a crisis period. n In addition there is a group Kn as the Flying Squad. These consist about 12 people with motor cars, W a are prepared to be called out at ^ hour of the day or night and visi ^ person when an emergency has The police and doctors have ot js called upon us in this way. There also close co-operation between
arl^e
Bournemouth Association for Mental Health and the Samaritans and a
joint
series
lectures
of
is
Age Groups Men
being
,, ?
arranged.
154
is a list of statistics from March 5th, 1961 to June 21st, 1962. The best testimony to the efficiency of the local branch is the following extract from a letter to the Director from the Chief Constable of Bournemouth : During last year, 1961, the cases of attempted suicides showed a Marked decrease as you will see from the undermentioned figures:
Appended
.
Women between 20 and 40 years 85 ?
(Only
one
was
dealt with
SAMARITAN STATISTICS of cases dealt with from 6tli zfarch, 1961 to 21st June 1962?335. hey were classified, according to the "lajor factor involved, as follows: '? Accommcdation 23 3 Accommodation (temporary) 12 Alcoholic 4- Domestic (family not marital) 31
^uniber
18
Employment
Financial (debt and legal
43 14 18 63 19 39 14 21 17
difficulty) Z- Legal (police)
??L f
Loneliness Marital Medical
Psychological
Sexual A- Spiritual Others ?
Of these there Were
*~'X'U
were
39
actively sucidal.
cases
Personal level
who 335
Status Adult male clients
Married
87 53
Single
Divorced or separated Adult female clients
Married Single Divorced
or
separated
6
The wide variety of the cases dealt with has required an extremely flexible and well balanced approach and great demands have been made on all concerned. It is most encouraging that of the 335 cases only a very small proportion have failed to derive some help. The large majority have undoubtedly been given a new outlook and fresh courage with which to face life. Cases have been listed for record under the predominantly purposes presenting problem and many of these have been material, e.g. 43 cases financial, 14 legal, 23 accommodation and 18 employment, but it is noteworthy that in practically every case there were underlying problems of personality and disturbed relationships both human and spiritual. Even where it has not been possible to do a great deal to solve the material difficulties the personal help given by the Samaritans has practically always been of considerable benefit.
1959, 16, 1960, 19; 1961, 7;
that
60 30
200 cases have been closed.
15:
case
?
335
the Samaritans committed suicide).
?
60
175
?niprovement".
q
40 ? 60 years
Two male and 4 female clients under 20
and suicides also decreased from 30 to 28. I feel sure that you and your colleagues can justifiably take a large Measure of credit for this appreciable
,
over
.
1957, 18; 1958.
?y
between 20 and 40 years 80 40 and 60 years 57 ? over 60 years 17
15 119 35 20 135
The Samaritan Service demonstrates that the greatest help can be given by individuals working at a personal level without too much red tape or formality. Small groups are much more valuable in this field than< a large The ever increasing organisation. demands that will certainly be made for this type of personal service could lead to the loss of the informal individual approach. Every effort should be made to preserve it if the true essence of the Samaritan movement is to survive.
