Samaritans here to help at Christmas
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Scotland’s leading charity for suicide prevention is here to listen this Christmas.
There will be 1500 volunteers across the UK and Ireland doing a shift on Christmas Day to ensure that there is someone there to listen for anyone who may be struggling.
Last year Samaritans took more than 300,000 calls throughout the festive period including more than 10,000 on Christmas Day alone.
In Scotland, around 140 volunteers gave up their time on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to be there to listen for anyone who was struggling to cope. Each volunteer answered an average of 12 calls per Christmas shift, with callers sharing a wide range of personal challenges from mental and physical health struggles to family issues, relationship problems and isolation and loneliness.
Keith Walker, a volunteer with Samaritans’ Inverness branch, said: “We know life’s problems don’t melt-away when we switch the Christmas lights on and for many people the festive season can be a difficult time.
"That’s why it’s so important to make sure there’s always someone there to listen on Christmas Day and throughout the season. For me, volunteering is an important part of my Christmas and helps me to put my own celebrations in context.
“With rates of suicide rising here in Scotland and across the UK, Samaritans has never been a more vital lifeline. If you can make a donation to support our work this festive season, you’ll be helping to ensure that we can be there to listen not just on Christmas but throughout the year.
“If you are finding the festive season tough, you don’t have to face things alone. Every call for help to Samaritans is answered by a trained volunteer and talking to us is always free and confidential. So whatever is on your mind, you can talk to us this Christmas.”
Sophie (26), knows how hard the festive build up can be. After going through a marital breakup in the months leading up to Christmas she was also struggling with severe depression. Samaritans was there to support her as her marriage reached breaking point.
She said: “Last year was a real struggle for me with my mental health, which led to the cracks in my marriage, usually I’m like a big kid at Christmas, but I couldn't think of anything worse than playing the fake ‘happy’ charade.
“It made me feel even more depressed when all my family and friends were excited in the run up to the big day. The pressure of enjoying yourself and everything being perfect can make mental health issues a thousand times worse as you’re supposed to be bubbly and joyful. I didn’t want to ruin it for anyone else.
“The only people I could show my true feelings to, even the deep dark ones, was Samaritans. It was a relief to speak to someone that wasn’t expecting you to be jolly.
“Samaritans’ help gave me my life back and I will be forever thankful for that.”
Samaritans is asking people to send a Christmas gift to help Samaritans continue to be there for those who need emotional support. Making a donation for as little as £4.99 will help Samaritans answer a call for help from somebody struggling this Christmas - and change someone’s story for the better.
Be a part of someone’s story – send a gift to help them change it for the better by visiting: http://www.samaritans.org/christmas. Samaritans’ services are there for anyone who needs them this Christmas and every single day of the year.
Anyone can contact Samaritans for free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. This number won’t show up on your phone bill. Or you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org to find details of your nearest branch, where you can talk to one of our trained volunteers face to face.
