Today’s local hero is a volunteer for the suicide hotline at the Samaritans of FR/NB Inc.
Erica believes in the power of unbiased listening to help others cope with let-downs or overwhelm. She offers this gift through her volunteer work and invites others to join her.
“My advice to people looking to contribute is to put yourself out there! My time with the Samaritans has been so valuable, I’ve learned so much about myself and about suicide prevention.”
Name: Erica English
Neighborhood: West Bridgewater
What she does: I volunteer as a Samaritan for the suicide hotline and local Massachusetts depression and suicide hotline.
Her superpower is: I would say my superpower is either compassion or empathy. These two things are super important not only on the phone lines, but in life in general. I think we can all have a little more compassion for one another.
How does your work contribute to better mental health in the Southcoast?
At the Samaritans, we offer a safe space for people to call and talk about what’s bothering them or what’s been going on in their life. A lot of times, when someone is feeling down or overwhelmed, it can really help to just have someone to vent to. They are talking to someone with no insight into their situation, therefore no biases, and they feel like they can say how they are truly feeling.
What inspired you to work to end mental stigma?
The stigma around mental illness and mental health is what stops a lot of people from seeking out the help they need. If we can move away from this stigma, we can create healthy conversations about mental health that need to be had, so that we can understand these illnesses better.
What's your advice to others looking for a way to contribute?
My advice to people looking to contribute is to put yourself out there! My time with the Samaritans has been so valuable, I’ve learned so much about myself and about suicide prevention. I love the environment we create and I’m so glad I found them!
Are you looking for volunteers?
We are always looking for volunteers! If you are interested or want to learn more about what we do, you can visit http://www.samaritans-fallriver.org/
What's the best way for people to get in touch, follow you and/or learn more about what you do?
To learn more about what we do or to take a look at our pages, you can search Samaritans of FR/NB Inc. on Facebook and like our page! We are also on instagram at @samaritansfrnb