The author discusses the Samaritans’ belief that their activities may be linked to the decrease in the British suicide rate. It is argued that other factors, such as the universality of medical & psychiatric help, or less-poisonous household gas, may have caused this decrease; yet other countries where similar conditions apply have seen an increase in their suicide rates. The Samaritans feel that the decrease in Britain can be correlated with an increase in the number of branches they operate.