A post on Facebook which has been shared more than 20,000 times claims that anyone who is feeling depressed or suicidal can text a number and receive a response from a crisis counsellor connected to Samaritans.
This information is out of date and no longer correct.
Samaritans confirmed to Full Fact that the text number shared in the Facebook post was the text number previously used by the charity, but said it was “historic” and does not work now. Samaritans advised against using the phone number.
Although Samaritans did previously have a text service, this ended in February 2020. The Facebook post was originally shared in August 2019, before the text service was retired, but has been shared again recently.
People who do want to speak to Samaritans can call 116 123 for free any time of the day or night, even on a number without credit, and it will not show up on your phone bill.
Samaritans can also be contacted by email on jo@samaritans.org, by letter or by visiting www.samaritans.org.