Samaritans provides completely confidential emotional support face-to-face and via phone, email and text message, around the clock every day of the year. Last year this equated to 5.3m contacts for support. Our 21,000 volunteers, working in our network of 201 branches across the UK and the Republic of Ireland answering a call for help every six seconds and are trained to support people in emotional distress and vulnerable situations, such as those faced by veterans, reservists and service families; mental health issues, relationship breakdown, financial difficulties and suicidal thoughts.