This 1967-73 study documents the growth of suicide prevention services in the United States. The authors state that the growth of suicide prevention & crisis centers has undergone rapid, haphazard, uncoordinated growth. Differences between the British Samaritan system & the U.S. organizations include the Samaritan “Befriending” philosophy that emphasizes personal contact & flexible volunteer time, in contrast to the U.S. tendency to limit calls & make referrals after a set time period. (NBB)