Samaritans has launched ‘Talk To Us’, a campaign to raise awareness of its round-the-clock emotional support services and to encourage people to get in touch if they need support.
Samaritans is a registered charity whose continued work is dependent on donations. Samaritans is a service provided by trained volunteers, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. In simple terms, whatever you’re facing, a Samaritan will face it with you.
Every six seconds, Samaritans answers a call for help. Training gives the volunteers the skills to be there for others, and the moments of connection between people are encouraged, promoted and celebrated. Samaritans works with people who are going through a difficult time and train others to do the same, offering listening and support to people and communities in times of need, and also working in prisons, schools, hospitals and on the rail network.
The Samaritans ethos is that every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, and Samaritans vision is that fewer people die by suicide.
Throughout the pandemic, Samaritans has continued to provide emotional support at a time when listening to others has never been more important.
Since lockdown in March, Samaritans volunteers suggest that one in three callers talk about coronavirus with many people feeling more anxious and distressed than before the pandemic. Volunteer surveys which gathered over 3,000 responses, also found the most common concerns related to coronavirus are around loneliness, isolation, mental health and illness, family, finances and unemployment.
To quote the Director of one Samaritans branch: “Our volunteers have been working day and night to be there for anyone who is struggling in these uncertain and challenging times. Lockdown restrictions have had a huge impact on everyday life for many people, as we’ve been hearing over the past few months, and our volunteers have been a much-needed source of support for those whose networks haven’t been available during the pandemic.”
“Our outreach work and fundraising activity remains on hold across the country until further notice, but we hope that the public can continue to support us in any way they can, to ensure that our volunteers can continue to be there for anyone struggling to cope.”
Samaritans is encouraging all communities to show their backing for their local branch of Samaritans by supporting any fundraising activities such as the Samarathon which is taking place during July. Keep your eyes peeled for any way that you can help your local branch of the Samaritans.
Anyone can contact Samaritans for free any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit, or you can email jo@samaritans.org.