About Hey Sam

Hey Sam is a peer-to-peer mental health text support line created and run by Samaritans. Based in Boston, Samaritans has been providing lifesaving suicide prevention services since 1974.

Hey Sam was officially launched on March 14, 2022 to address the urgent mental health needs of young people.

Massachusetts State Senator Rebecca L. Rausch approached Samaritans with the idea after hearing from young people at a town hall forum. Young people need nonjudgmental mental health support that meets them where they are at – on their phones. Research and experience tells us that youth are more likely to open up to peers than adults, and that peer-to-peer support can be a helpful resource for young people when they are struggling.

Hey Sam is here to lend a nonjudgmental ear, offer a kind presence, and help people feel understood and validated.

Meet the Team

Gina Bates

Operations Coordinator

Stephanie Cohen

Manager of Text Operations

Hey Sam operates through the dedicated volunteers and staff who answer texts. We are not listing their names on our website to protect their privacy. We are beyond grateful for the many critical ways they support Hey Sam.

Advisory Board

Katie

I’ve gained a lot of experience with the sides of Hey Sam beyond just the text line, including working with other Advisory Board and Outreach Team members to put our mission and goals into writing, and to figure out how to best get the word out about Hey Sam.

Anjana

In my different roles with Hey Sam I have gained a great sense of community and I have loved connecting with everyone because we all have very similar values. Working with trainees when they are first starting out and watching them grow has been really rewarding because we have a great group of individuals who care so much about what we are doing.

Amber

I learned to brainstorm, vocalize ideas, collaborate with other passionate volunteers, and produce common objectives in the form of vision mission statement for Hey Sam program

Veronica

I have gained vital experience and knowledge on how Hey Sam runs and have been able to influence more of the decisions surrounding a program I appreciate so much. Through volunteering, I have gained and developed priceless expertise and knowledge, like listening skills, empathy, communication, and more.

Talia

I’ve loved these roles as I am able to get to know our lovely new volunteers and gain greater insights into the work that has to be done to provide and support the Hey Sam platform.

Isabelle

I’ve gotten to see some of the planning and thought process going into the Hey Sam program. I’ve also collaborated with other board members, and it’s been really cool hearing about their perspectives and experiences.

Jaden

Felix

Through these roles, I’ve been able to work with people who are just as passionate as I am to make the program the best it can be.