The Samaritans History

In 1935, Chad Varah, an Anglican priest, officiated at the funeral of a 13 year old girl who had killed herself.  The girl mistook menstruation for venereal disease which she thought would lead to a long and painful death. Rev. Varah commented at that time, "Little girl, I never knew you, but you have changed my life."  He vowed to help people who were contemplating suicide and had nowhere to turn.

For years part of his ministry was counseling, but he never forgot that young girl.  Eighteen years after her death he publicly invited anyone who was suicidal to come in to visit him and talk.  The response was so overwhelming that he placed a newspaper ad asking for volunteers to use listening skills to help hundreds of people who contemplated suicide every day. He soon realized that some sort of wonderful interaction was taking place between those who came to talk and the volunteers who were listening. This skill was termed "befriending." This wonderful interaction became "befriending."  The Samaritans was thus founded in 1953 "to befriend the suicidal and despairing."

As the founder chairman in 1974, Dr. Varah also promoted the same principle through Befriender's internationally known as Befriender's Worldwide. This organization now operates in over 40 countries. 

The Samaritans - New Hampshire location

In 1980 a group of concerned community members in Keene, NH met to talk about helping people in despair and distress and thereby reducing the incidence of suicide.

In January 1981, The Samaritans was granted a status as a voluntary corporation and became registered with the Secretary of State, State of New Hampshire.  The first calls were answered by volunteers on August 17, 1981.