Hello,
This topic was discussed several years ago, but I wanted to hear some updated opinions. Does anyone have personal experience with the Samaritans suicide pervention hotline or know if it really carries a lot of weight for PsyD applications? I'm in the training process now. Also, for those who have been volunteers, are you allowed to use the experience on your cv/resume?
You may not get very many responses here because I believe Samaritans are not allowed to discuss their current or past involvement at all.
I was never a volunteer for Samaritans, but I know some who were. Apparently, there is a very strict confidentiality policy there...meaning if they find out that you've discussed any part of your involvement, you will be dismissed. If you're in the training, then perhaps they have not reiterated it (over and over again) yet. I also believe that you can put it on your CV/resume, but you cannot discuss the experience during your interviews or write about it except from your own personal perspective (like what you learned about yourself during this process).
I would ask the trainers at Samaritans though. You should be allowed to ask questions about the extent of your involvement. Just be forewarned that if they sniff out that you are there for ulterior motives, rather than to genuinely help those who call in, then they will dismiss you. This is what I've heard from others who did not make it through their intense training process. I thought it was so extreme and secretive, especially since I tried my best to ask my colleagues about their experiences and they would not disclose.
However, when you consider that Samaritans is a reliable, confidential hotline to call when you're in distress, then I understand that it is all for the benefit of those in need. In my past experience, I did not want to jeopardize the Samaritans reliability & put unnecessary pressure on my friends who were their volunteers...so I stopped prying. I could have also volunteered there myself if I really wanted to know more, but I choose a different organization.
Good luck with it! I'm sure it's rewarding in the end, and we all know it is necessary work. Samaritans is a respectable volunteer organization and you should be proud if you make it through to the training! I think it would carry weight for PsyD applications for sure, especially since you are volunteering your time. The frustrating part is not being able to discuss your 'clinical' experience that you gain in detail, like you can do with other experiences as long as you deidentify them. If you do not uphold the Samaritians' policies, then that will reflect poorly on you...so abide by their protocol and just reflect on your own thought processes.
