Mental health advocates, surviving family members, and lawmakers gathered on the Grand Staircase at the Massachusetts State House on Monday to mark the 50th anniversary of the Samaritans life-saving work in Boston.

From their start in a cramped basement in at the Arlington Street Church, over the last five decades the Samaritans have answered “more than 3 million calls, texts and chats” at their suicide prevention centers.

“That’s more than 150 people per day for 50 years. And now that our helpline is part of the 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, we’re reaching more people every day,” Samaritans CEO Kathy Marchi said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. Suicides were up 2.6% year-over-year in 2022, when nearly 50,000 Americans took their own lives — enough, Marchi said, to fill Fenway park.

Gov. Maura Healey spoke to the gathered suicide prevention professionals, expressing her support for the work they do. Healey’s fiscal 2025 budget calls for over $14 million in funding for suicide prevention, up from $8 million in 2024.

“I don’t want anyone in the state to feel like they can’t talk about what they’re feeling, that they can’t talk about anxiety, depression, even thoughts of suicide. And know that there are resources out there, whether it’s texting the Hey Sam line or dialing 988,” Healey said.

Anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide or self harm can call 988 to speak with a mental health professional.

Gov. Maura Healey takes a look at a Samaritans T-shirt after speaking at the organization’s 50th Anniversary event at the State House. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Notes on what gets people through difficult times are displayed at the Samaritans 50th Anniversary event at the State House. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)