4th July 2008 saw the launch of Costa Blanca Samaritans, an organisation registered with the Generalitat Valenciana, with the objective of providing a telephone- based, English language support service for people experiencing emotional distress and who might be suicidal.  The service is modelled on that offered for more than 50 years in the U.K. by Samaritans, and which has spread to almost 40 countries around the world but not, until now that is, Spain!

The result of almost three years work by the project team, CBS (Costa Blanca Samaritans) is comprised entirely of un-paid volunteers, with all of those answering the telephones extensively trained to be with people through their suffering.  This is important work and provision of such a service is long overdue.  Life here on the Costa Blanca can be joyful, but when difficult situations come along, being in a foreign country can exacerbate feelings of isolation and desperation, especially without friends or family around you and maybe when you don’t have enough Spanish to access what help is available.  Sometimes we get to a point in life where just one more problem pushes us to the brink, the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back.”  The economic recession is one issue that is causing distress to many right now here in Spain and adding to the emotional mix.

The World Health Organisation figures show more than 1 million suicides each year with 20 times that number of attempts. As such, suicide is the cause of death of more people than all the wars and conflicts around the globe put together. Samaritans in the U.K has a staggering, near 6 million contacts with people each year. The need for a listening service here on the Costa Blanca is self-evident. However, we need to let our Callers know we are here, and as it is early days for us, many people who may need our help are unaware of the service that is available to them.

Samaritan volunteers will listen regardless of how “big” or “small” the issue and listen without judging or telling people what they “should” do. Our objective of neutrality is assisted by CBS not being aligned to any other organisation, social, religious or political.  We allow callers to explore their situation, their way.  What is heard is entirely confidential within the organisation, and no calls are recorded or traced, and no caller needs to give any personal information to talk to a volunteer. The work is rewarding if tough sometimes, and the volunteers themselves receive on-going support from the rest of the team.

The CBS listening service is now available every evening from 8p.m. until midnight, from premises in the north and the south of the Costa Blanca. CBS plans to extend both the hours, services and languages available as the organisation matures, but this is entirely dependent on volunteer numbers, funding and of course, advertising. 

If you would like further information on The Costa Blanca Samaritans or feel that you are able to help in any way, please feel free to contact us on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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