Help
is at Hand for Your Festive Blues
MSP
for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has
added his voice to the Samaritans’ winter advertising campaign, which is
highlighting its 24/7 helpline for anyone with emotional problems, including
suicidal feelings, which they want to talk about.
UK
research conducted by the Samaritans revealed that Scots are the least likely
people in the UK to discuss their emotional problems. The
research also revealed that young people are reluctant to talk about certain
issues.
A
vital element of the Samaritans' Winter Campaign is showing young people,
especially young men, who share their problems less than women, that Samaritans
is a 24/7 confidential and non-judgmental service for those problems about which
you can't even talk to your closest friends.
Speaking
about the campaign, Mr McNeil said:
“For
most of us, Christmas and New Year is a joyous time of year. But for some, including young people, it can be a very unhappy
period for a variety of reasons. It is vital that people who are feeling down
have the opportunity to talk to someone. This
is where the Samaritans play such an important role - its volunteers provide
space and a non-judgemental service to anyone who wants to talk things through.
“But
this campaign is not just for young people. The Samaritans also operate a third
party referral system. So, if you
know an elderly person who is alone and distressed this Christmas, give the
Samaritans a call on 08457 90 90 90.”
Other
services available during the festive holidays include Breathing Space - a
free and confidential phoneline service for any individual who is feeling low or
depressed, or who is unusually worried and in need of someone to talk to.
Breathing Space can be contacted on 0800 83 85 87.
ENDS
Notes
The
Samaritans is a registered charity, founded in 1953, which offers 24-hour
confidential emotional support to anyone in emotional distress. The
Samaritans' vision is for a society where fewer people die by suicide because
people are able to share feelings of emotional distress openly without fear of
being judged. The Samaritans believes that offering people the opportunity to be
listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair
and suicidal feelings. It is the
aim of the Samaritans to make emotional health a mainstream issue. The service
is offered by 17,600 trained volunteers and is entirely dependent on voluntary
support.
This
year, the objective of the Samaritans’ winter campaign is to let people know
they can call the Samaritans about a variety of emotional issues - not just
suicidal feelings. The adverts this
year have been created by an advertising agency and will appear on billboards,
magazines, newspapers and electronically via the Internet.
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