Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) ✓ ACRA Verified

Mobey ★★★★★

11 months ago

It is truly disheartening to see all the negative reviews, with people taking it out on the volunteers. It’s ironic isn’t it? I guess hurt people hurt people. Nonetheless, I understand if you feel anger after not receiving the help you expected. However, I think people need to be level-headed enough to realise that the person on the other end is human as well and doing their best. At the same time, even if you need help, you need to be receptive and realise that help isn’t always served on a silver platter in the form that you expected. If someone is genuinely contemplating suicide and already on the ledge, they have no choice but to encourage you to call the police as that is the only channel that can offer real, practical help. I hope people realise that their negative reviews only make it HARDER for people who need help to reach out. Imagine someone really had no one to turn to and just want a safe space to anonymously share their grievances, and they decide to turn away the only free and 24/7 accessible outlet because of the reviews. I once was turned off by negative reviews a few years ago, but decided to give it a go anyways. I had really low expectations and was afraid I was going to encounter an unhelpful and condescending volunteer. But no, I was met with someone patient and helpful, and someone who managed to ground me in a time of need. Over the years, I have called the hotline a couple of times here and there and my experiences have always been positive and at the very least, helpful. And no, it’s not going to have the benefits of long term therapy but I truly believe it’s a great resource that should be used by those who are suicidal — sometimes a listening ear is all it takes. I’m deeply grateful for the service and hope people can use this as a lifeline. If you really don’t like the person you got, you can always hang up and try calling again. There are no consequences to this. But you have to at least be open minded. It’s tough work you guys do, thank you.

CH ★☆☆☆☆

a year ago

SOS is here to cause distress not help. Had reach out via care text. Mental break down and it took a long time for me to gain the courage to reach out to care text. The person is non empathic and just pass on the silver ribbon contact and eager to hang up after going through standard procedure and asking me to promise I am not going to suicide after hearing suicide plan. Feel like jumping immediately after cutting them off, lucky manage to get through IMH line the person was able to calm me down and give the relevant help needed. This organisation should not even exist if their main cause is to cause distress and push people off their last breaking point, cannot afford a listening ear and keep wanting to cut the text like it is not their concern. Stop advertising like you are there to listen when you are not.

bunbun ★★☆☆☆

3 years ago

The person I talked to seemed genuine enough, they were just there until my crying calmed down. They really can't help you, they only really can just listen. And that's good enough for some people, but it won't stop someone's plans. The way the person I spoke to talked felt fake, like they were trained to whisper in a certain way which should feel comforting, but it made me feel small and insignificant, like I was a nuisance. It just felt fake, and i know it most likely is, I don't want to know that though. This is my first time calling, the whole experience of being helped is based off who picks up your call and I really don't think that's good enough. they cannot give you advice or lead the conversation to help you open up. They are just there. Waiting for you to talk. I probably could've waited for myself to stop crying and fix myself and it wouldve had the same result. It was a bit nicer to know someone was there, but I think I'm better off just not calling at all.

Chryssa ★☆☆☆☆

2 years ago

If there is a no stars rating def a no stars. I tried calling when my anxiety was bad & all they told me was don’t think you’re suicidal there’s nth we can do to help. A frd received the same treatment as me. I cld say SOS is def of no help to ppl who are rly in need. Call the IMH helpline if you need. The cust care officers are trained personnels so it rly does help when there is active listening & some helpful advice. I usually roll my eyes when I see SOS helpline publicized on local dramas 🙄🙄🙄 this organization shdnt even exist at all!

Corn S ★☆☆☆☆

5 years ago

Some of the volunteers here truly do more damage than harm. Tried twice, first caller heard my suicde plan and kept asking where were my parents (?) when they have already passed on. Second (male) volunteer named Russell went motivational coach style (why cant u get out of bed? just do it.) gave me some unsolicited advice on not to see any counsellors and just depend on myself. possibly overworked or unethical