Tag: Samaritans

Mental health help at Christmas

Help available for low mood, depression and anxiety

People experiencing depression, low mood or anxiety should be encouraged to seek help this Christmas, the Mental Health Minister has said. Maureen Watt also thanked those who provide help and support to those dealing with mental health problems associated with stress and loneliness at this time of year.

Breathing Space is a free, confidential phone line offering advice to people experiencing anxiety, depression or low mood. Also available is Living Life, which offers more in depth telephone-based and online therapy.

Samaritans provide confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day, for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

Ms Watt said: “I think our much greater awareness of mental health issues in recent years has highlighted that this can be a difficult time of year for many people. Hopefully that increased knowledge also means that people know that they do not need to suffer alone, that support is available and that no-one should ever feel afraid to speak up and ask for help if they feel depressed or anxious.

“I would urge anyone who is feeling low or anxious to reach out to Breathing Space, Samaritans or other services to make sure they get help. This time of year can be overwhelming and we should all aim to be more aware of the toll that can sometimes take and do what we need to reduce unnecessary stress and anxiety.

“I also want thank everyone across the country – in the NHS, social services, the third sector and in local communities – who is working to ensure that people in distress have someone to help them.”

There are a number of steps that can be taken to reduce stress and anxiety over the festive period:

  • Avoid excess alcohol and too much food
  • Exercise can reduce stress and lift a low mood
  • Take time for yourself and relax on your own terms
  • Make sure you get enough sleep
  • Talk to others and take the time to listen.

Tony McLaren, National Coordinator of Breathing Space, said: “Remember, if you are experiencing emotional distress during the festive season and feel you can’t talk to your family or friends, then call a phone line such as Breathing Space. Our advisors are available every day of the year to listen and offer you support. Call them in confidence on freephone 0800 83 85 87 to talk about what you’re going through.”

Executive Director of Samaritans in Scotland, James Jopling, said: “If you’re dealing with difficult thoughts and feelings, the festive season can make everything seem worse. Whether you’re on your own or feeling alone in a crowd, we don’t want anyone to struggle. So, remember you can call Samaritans for free from any phone and, if you’re expecting to have a good Christmas this year yourself, have a think about those around you who may not be as lucky and give them the gift of listening.”

Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123.

 

 

Scotmid’s life-saving support for Samaritans

https://youtu.be/YJ1mmb_ZebQ

Scotmid Co-operative and Samaritans have announced the beginning of the year-long partnership, which aims to raise £300,000 as well as recruit local volunteers and raise vital awareness for the charity. Continue reading Scotmid’s life-saving support for Samaritans

Calls to Samaritans reach record high

Samaritans volunteers responded to more than 5.7 million calls for help in 2016, an increase of nearly 300,000 on the previous year. Releasing the figures to coincide with the start of Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June), the charity says there are a number of reasons for the record high, including making its confidential helpline free to callers. Continue reading Calls to Samaritans reach record high

Dying from inequality

The suicide rate is three times higher among the poorest Scots, according to a report released today by Samaritans. In the week that Philip Hammond is expected to deliver another austerity Budget, Samaritans are calling for more to be done to tackle inequality.

James Jopling, Executive Director of Samaritans in Scotland, writes:

In 2015, 672 people took their own lives in Scotland. It’s clear however, that some people are unequally bearing this burden.

It is simply not acceptable that the risk of a person taking their own life is substantially increased according to how disadvantaged they may be.

We have made significant progress in Scotland in bringing the suicide rate down. In the ten years from 2002, when the first Choose Life Suicide Prevention Strategy was published, there was an 18 per cent fall in the suicide rate. Yet despite real progress, a significant difference in rates between the most and least deprived people in Scotland persists.

Latest figures for Scotland show that the rate of suicide was three times higher in the most deprived tenth of the population compared to the least deprived tenth.

Increasingly, Samaritans are working with others to benefit those on the margins of society.  We are providing our services in foodbanks, in homeless drop-in centres and other locations where contact from us with people in crisis can play a role in helping them manage the situation they find themselves in.

For the first time, Dying From Inequality sets out exactly what contributes to suicide risk in disadvantaged people and communities. This gives us the vitally important opportunity to galvanise other agencies and decision makers into action. So, we’ll be talking to those who can influence change in housing, stigma, lifestyle behaviours and many of the other factors highlighted in the report. We’ll be talking about Scottish solutions, in a Scottish policy and political context, with key agencies that can help us affect change.

As a starter, we think we need to target local suicide prevention work in areas of deprivation within individual local authorities. We need the forthcoming suicide prevention strategy in Scotland to be joined up with welfare, education, housing and employment policies in Scotland.  When we see large employers downsize or shut down, and local and national government seek to help, let’s make sure that help includes consideration of the mental health of the employees affected during a very difficult period in their lives.

We’ve also previously had targets to train NHS staff in Scotland to recognise and understand individuals who are in distress and may be suicidal, we believe we need this kind of programme to be extended to those agencies who might be dealing with people struggling financially, such as welfare agencies or financial services companies.  An effective and appropriate response could make all the difference.

Because it’s simply not right that so many people struggling with deprivation and poverty across Scotland find taking their own life as the only way out.

Samaritans Dying from inequality report – summary

 

 

Robin Williams death: mental health charity comments

williamsHolywood actor and comedian Robin Williams has been found dead at his California home in an apparent suicide. His publicist said he had been “battling severe depression”.

Following the tragic news of the death, Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of mental health charity Mind, said: “The apparent suicide of Robin Williams is a tragic and shocking event. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this very difficult time.

“We would urge anyone who is experiencing the pain and distress of suicidal feelings to try and speak to someone, whether friend, family, their doctor or a charity such as Mind or Samaritans.”

If you need information or advice about mental health problems, or need somewhere to turn for support, call the Mind Infoline on 0300 123 3393 or call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90.

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