Founded in 1953 by a vicar named Chad Varah, the Samaritans charity is part of an international organisation aimed at helping people in emotional distress. Gave evidence on the media reporting of suicide, stating that there was strong evidence that certain types of reporting could put those already vulnerable at risk. The Samaritans sought specific changes to the Editors' Code which outlaws only "excessive" detail in the reporting of suicides. The Samaritans suggested that any detail could be harmful and that new guidelines were needed.
