Samaritans of Singapore
Encyclopedia
Samaritans of Singapore, also known as SOS, established on 1 December 1969, is a non-profit and non-religious organisation, with the mission of providing 24-hour confidential, emotional support to people in crisis, thinking of suicide or affected by suicide
.
SOS is a member of the National Council of Social Service
and is supported by the Community Chest
. SOS is also affiliated to Befrienders Worldwide
, American Association of Suicidology (AAS) and International Federation of Telephonic Emergency Services (IFOTES).
, intervention and post-vention.
The SOS operate a 24 hour hotline
, manned by volunteers. They provide emotional support
to callers who are in distress or suicidal. On average, SOS receives more than 100 calls every day.
In 2003, SOS started an Email Befriending
service, to provide support for individuals who prefer to write about their problems, rather than talking on the telephone. Emails receive a response within 48 hours.
SOS also provides face-to-face counselling sessions, conducted by professional staff.
SOS started a suicide bereavement support group in 2003, aiming to provide emotional support to those who have lost a loved one to suicide). The support group, known as Healing Bridge, offers a supportive environment for the survivors to meet and talk about their suicide grief. They also share and receive comfort from each other.
In March 2005, SOS in collaboration with the Singapore Police
and the Coroner’s Court set up a new initiative called LOSS – or Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors. This programme helps family members cope with the immediate aftermath of a suicide. Emotional support is provided via telephone calls; counselling sessions and home visits may also be arranged.
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
.
SOS is a member of the National Council of Social Service
National Council of Social Service
The National Council of Social Service is a statutory board governed by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports of the Singapore government....
and is supported by the Community Chest
The Community Chest of Singapore
- General :The Community Chest was established in 1983 with a simple yet vital mission: to raise funds for the nation’s many charities. It is about raising funds from the community for the community in need...
. SOS is also affiliated to Befrienders Worldwide
Befrienders Worldwide
Befrienders Worldwide is a charity that helps people worldwide who are tempted to suicide or despair. They listen without judging people or telling them what to do. If there is someone to listen, this can sometimes keep a person alive who might otherwise die...
, American Association of Suicidology (AAS) and International Federation of Telephonic Emergency Services (IFOTES).
SOS Services
The SOS work and services revolve around suicide preventionSuicide prevention
Suicide prevention is an umbrella term for the collective efforts of local citizen organizations, mental health practitioners and related professionals to reduce the incidence of suicide....
, intervention and post-vention.
The SOS operate a 24 hour hotline
Crisis hotline
A crisis hotline is a phone number people can call to get immediate emergency telephone counseling, usually by trained volunteers. Such hotlines have existed in most major cities of the United States at least since the mid-1970s. Initially set up to help those contemplating suicide, many have...
, manned by volunteers. They provide emotional support
Telephone counseling
Telephone counseling refers to any type of psychological service performed over the telephone. Telephone counseling ranges from individual, couple or group psychotherapy with a professional therapist to psychological first aid provided by para-professional counselors...
to callers who are in distress or suicidal. On average, SOS receives more than 100 calls every day.
In 2003, SOS started an Email Befriending
Befriender
Befrienders are carefully selected volunteers, from a variety of organisations and mental health charities, who are trained to provide support and companionship to lonely, or emotionally distressed, people. Befrienders will usually visit for an hour or so per week. The meeting is usually arranged...
service, to provide support for individuals who prefer to write about their problems, rather than talking on the telephone. Emails receive a response within 48 hours.
SOS also provides face-to-face counselling sessions, conducted by professional staff.
SOS started a suicide bereavement support group in 2003, aiming to provide emotional support to those who have lost a loved one to suicide). The support group, known as Healing Bridge, offers a supportive environment for the survivors to meet and talk about their suicide grief. They also share and receive comfort from each other.
In March 2005, SOS in collaboration with the Singapore Police
Singapore Police Force
The Singapore Police Force is the main agency tasked with maintaining law and order in the city-state. Formerly known as the Republic of Singapore Police , it has grown from an 11-man organisation to a 38,587 strong force...
and the Coroner’s Court set up a new initiative called LOSS – or Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors. This programme helps family members cope with the immediate aftermath of a suicide. Emotional support is provided via telephone calls; counselling sessions and home visits may also be arranged.