The Samaritans, Bombay has been providing help, treatment, counseling, day-care and rehabilitation and phone help-line services to the mentally ill emotionally disordered and despairing since 1961 in Mumbai.

The services provided are completely free of any charges.

To enhance and enrich the lives of individuals suffering from mental and emotional disorders as well as that of their families.

To promote the cause of mental health, the understanding and acceptance of people with mental and emotional disorders and to provide a healthy growing environment to facilitate their return to society.

Any person who comes for help is made to feel that he has come to a sanctuary, because no matter what he may have done he will never be betrayed by The Samaritans. He is made to feel that he has nothing to loose by coming because he remains as free as he was before he came. Whatever he says will be kept in the strictest confidence.

Our aim is that when the caller finally goes away he is, if not at peace with himself, at least less troubled than he was before he came; and has gained / gathered fresh courage to face life.

In these days, it’s difficult to find someone willing to listen to a sad story without interrupting, giving advice, exhorting, rebuking, turning the conversation to themselves or leaving in a hurry.

The Samaritans are willing; but they don’t just listen; they listen with attention, understanding, acceptance: they make the caller feel, they care.

This can encourage the caller:

Who felt helpless to help himself or herself;
Who felt hopeless to find inner resources that give grounds for hope;
Who wanted good advice to obtain better for themselves;
Whose mind was confused to think straight _aloud.

For seven out of every eight desperate/ despairing callers, this listening therapy is best thing for them and is all they need.
One out of eight needs more _some kind of an expert.

Whom will they trust to find a suitable one? You have one guess.