history

Suicide is a form of communication which expresses that those persons who attempt to commit suicide feel lonely, depressed and that life is not worth living. Unfortunately this communication is not listened to by many.

Emotional support offered with warmth and understanding at the time of crisis might avert the thought of suicide. To provide this unconditional timely support through the use of volunteer befriending Befrienders International was established in 1974.

Initially started as The Samaritans Movement in the year 1953 to serve depressed and suicidal people through volunteer befriending in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, it was subsequently expanded across other countries through Befrienders International.

There are currently over 350 centers affiliated to Befrienders International worldwide in around 45 countries with a work force consisting of around 40,000 volunteers providing care and support to the depressed and suicidal people.