SAMARITANS

a British charity, started in 1953 by Chad Varah (1911– ), which gives free help and advice to people who are very depressed or thinking of killing themselves. People can call the Samaritans on the telephone and discuss their problems, and members of the staff work without payment. There are now over 200 local branches of the charity and an international organization, Befrienders International, was formed in 1974.