Our Story
The first Samaritans organization was founded in the United Kingdom with the philosophy that compassionate, nonjudgmental listening can prevent suicide.
In the 1970s, Monica Dickens wanted to bring that idea to Boston, Massachusetts. She spent a year gathering support and raising funds. Eventually, she secured a free space in the basement of Arlington Street Church to make her dream a reality.
On April 4, 1974, the first American branch of Samaritans was founded with just 22 volunteers, rotary phones, and an open door.
Finding Hope in Human Connection
From our humble beginnings, we have grown and flourished, touching countless lives along the way. Though our work has changed over the years, one thing remains the same — everything we do is human connection. At the heart of our work lies a simple yet profound belief in the power of empathy and understanding to heal and transform lives.
Our 50 Year Impact
Since day one, Samaritans has offered a Helpline for people to call when they are feeling lonely, struggling with thoughts of suicide, or worried about a loved one. Fifty years later, our 24/7 Helpline — now part of the 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — and Hey Sam textline for young people offer an essential lifeline to those in distress.
But suicide prevention is more than crisis services. Our grief support programs provide a safe, healing community for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. And, our educational workshops help schools, workplaces, and organizations learn to take care of their own mental health and support others. Together, we can create a world without suicide.
3M
calls, texts, and chats answered
180K
people educated
17K
loss survivors supported
6.5K
volunteers trained
Key Moments in Our History
1974
Our Phone Line Officially Opens
Samaritans opens its doors in Boston in April. Within three months, there are enough volunteers to offer 24/7 service on the Helpline.
1976
Community Outreach
Samaritans begins leading workshops in schools and organizations to spread awareness about suicide and mental health. We continue to do this important work today and have reached more than 180,000 people through our outreach.
1977
Student Volunteers Support the Helpline
Samaritans begins a partnership with Boston College’s PULSE Program, which allows students to volunteer at nonprofits to better understand social issues through real-life experience.
1979
Support for Suicide Loss Survivors
Samaritans begins to offer services to those impacted by suicide through SafePlace support groups. We continue to offer these services today and have supported more than 17,000 loss survivors.
1981
Iconic Bridge Barriers Go Up
The suicide barrier on the Bourne Bridge — the first on a major US road — is complete due to advocacy by Monica Dickens. In 1977, she founds a second Samaritans organization on Cape Cod. Signage at the Cape bridges drives awareness for all Samaritans phone lines.
1986
Teens Helping Teens
Samariteens, a teen-to-teen helpline starts answering calls at 1-800-252-TEEN (8336). The program ran for decades and helped thousands.
1999
Raising Funds and Creating Community at the 5K
The Samaritans 5K launches in Boston. Over 25 years, it grows to become one of our largest annual events, bringing together those who have lost loved ones to suicide and raising essential funds to support our work.
2008
Reaching More People Toll-Free
Samaritans launches the Massachusetts Statewide Toll-Free Helpline at 1-877-870-HOPE (4673), funded in part by the Suicide Prevention Program at the Department of Public Health. We continue to answer calls to this number.
2008
Running to Prevent Suicide
Samaritans fields its first marathon team for the Boston Marathon® with two runners.
In 2024, 18 runners will represent Team Samaritans at the Marathon.
2013
Resources for the Transgender Community
The Transgender Suicide Prevention Working Group, a partnership between the MA Political Coalition, Fenway Health, and Samaritans, releases the educational video guide, “Saving Our Lives.” This was the culmination of a five-year collaboration to prevent suicide in the transgender community.
2013
Help is a Text Message Away
Samaritans is selected as one of three centers to launch the national Crisis Text Line Network to help young people 13-25 via text.
Today, we operate Hey Sam, a dedicated textline for young people to get support from their peers.
2016
Partnering with the City of Boston
Samaritans partners with Mayor Marty Walsh and the City of Boston to lead suicide prevention workshops for City employees that have regular contact with high-risk populations including teens, veterans, and the elderly.
2020
Providing Support During a Pandemic
Volunteers and staff begin taking Helpline calls remotely, ensuring that we continued to offer people emotional support during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our Helpline received an 84% increase in text messages from March 12 to June 30, 2020, compared to the same time the previous year.
2022
Hey Sam Launches
In March 2022, Samaritans launches Hey Sam with funding from the Massachusetts State Government.
The Hey Sam textline offers young people a way to get mental health support from their peers. Youth can text Hey Sam at 439-726.
2022
988 Makes it Easy to Reach Us
The 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launches in July 2022. Samaritans becomes one of five 988 Crisis Centers in Massachusetts. People can now reach our 24/7 Helpline by dialing the three-digit number 9-8-8. We are reaching more people every day as 988 awareness grows.
2024
Celebrating in Community
Members of the Samaritans community and lawmakers gathered to mark the 50th anniversary of Samaritans at the Massachusetts State House. Governor Maura Healey, Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh, Senator Rebecca Rausch, and Representative Edward R Philips gave remarks celebrating the lifesaving work of Samaritans.
Our Services
Samaritans provides lifesaving suicide prevention services throughout Massachusetts. Our services are free, confidential, and nonjudgmental.
50th Anniversary Media Coverage
WBUR: Samaritans in Boston marks 50 years of working to prevent suicide
Chief Clinical Officer Kacy Maitland spoke with Lisa Mullins of All Things Considered about the 50 year impact of Samaritans.
GBH: Samaritans marks 50 years of suicide prevention care
Members of the Samaritans community talk with GBH about why Samaritans is important to them.
Hear from Our Community
Over the years, Samaritans volunteers, staff, loss survivors, marathon runners, and so much more have shared what our work means to them.
“Samaritans don’t save lives. They help people save their own lives.”
Monica Dickens, Founder of Samaritans in Boston
