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Article: Befriending
- Article from:
- Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Befriending
Befriending is a free, confidential, and nonjudgmental listening service offered by trained volunteers to help people who are lonely, despairing, and suicidal. Unlike some approaches to suicide prevention, befriending does not involve telling or advising a suicidal person what to do. Befriending respects the right of each person to make his or her own decisions, including the decision of whether to live or die. Befriending centers are nonpolitical and nonsectarian, and the volunteers do not seek to impose their own beliefs or opinions. Instead, they listen without judging, allowing suicidal people to talk about their fears and frustrations. It is common for callers to say ...