Telephone Samaritan Service Little Known In New Zealand

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29829, 23 May 1962, Page 2

Telephone Samaritan Service Little Known In New Zealand

The telephone Samaritan service, inaugurated by Church of England clergymen during the war to help potential suicides, has developed into a world-wide movement with a broad scope of social service, but its work is still little known in New Zealand, according to Christchurch church welfare workers. “Assistance is given needy persons in many parts of the world by regular advertising, particularly in such countries as Sweden, which has one of the highest incidences of suicide in the world,” said the secretary of the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Churches (the Rev. A. A. Brash).

The Rev. A. W. Baxter said that the telephone service inaugurated in Christchurch after the BiUy Graham crusade here was discontinued after three months because the demand made on it was so small. Calls were taken at a central, office in the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church hall by members of various church organisations. The service was instituted for counselling as a “follow-up” to the crusade. He had heard nothing of the Telephone Samaritan service in New Zealand, but had read of its work in America, Mr Baxter said. A member of the Edinburgh branch of the Telephone Samaritan Service (Mrs D. Alexander) described the work when she was in Christchurch yesterday.

“It is a social service to help persons in circumstances of every nature to help themselves,” Mrs Alexander said. The branch advertised its telephone number only, so that those requiring assistance would make the first move themselves. When they dialled the number, they would be given the branch’s address. Sometimes all that was required was advice on a problem, Mrs Alexander said. But more often the organisation would channel the person seeking help to the right social service such as medical or welfare bodies. The Edinburgh branch, one of four in Scotland, had been in existence for three years. Its membership of between 80 and 100 was composed of persons from all walks of life, including professional men and women. The work was done voluntarily with members working once or twice a week in shifts of three hours and a half.

Her branch was currently holding an appeal for funds, to maintain telephone and other running expenses, Mrs Alexander said. But it rarely gave financial help, beyond a bus fare or a night’s lode ng if urgently needed. "The main thing is that people be given the chance to help themselves,” Mrs Alexander said. All cases were treated in strictest confidence. and members had to give an assurance not to mention names or discuss cases even amongst themselves, she said.

Before joining the organisation, potential members underwent 10 weeks’ training at the local centre. Lectures wire given by social workers and psychiatrists.

and trainees observed the work. The service operated 24 hours a day. Calls were taken in the branch office by two members between 9 a m. and 11 p.m., after which the telephone was switched through to the home of a member willing to take night calls. Close liaison between the

Samaritan service and local social services operated to their mutual benefit, Mirs Alexander said. One advantage was that persons seeking help could be directed to a social service of which they might not be aware. Mrs Alexander is accompanying her husband, a banker, on a business tour of Australia and New Zealand.