With the goal of helping people in distress and preventing suicide, Samaritans free, confidential 24 hour emotional support and crisis response hotline service is available on an immediate and ongoing basis to help people who are dealing with every kind of problem, illness, trauma, or loss as they try to cope with their difficulties. The hotline provides those in crisis (as well as the people who care for them) with a 24 hour safety net that can be used for fill-in service gaps, bridge between appointments and act as a source of ongoing emotional maintenance for those with chronic emotional issues.