Save a life just by listening
The Hamilton branch of Samaritans is urging people to reach out if they need help.
Their annual ‘Talk to Us’ campaign is under way and aims to let people know that they are there for anyone who is going through a hard time, at any time of the day or night.
And the message is that whatever you are facing, you don’t have to do it alone.
A spokesperson from the Hamilton branch said: “Sometimes we want to be there for someone, but don’t know how to start.
“We recommend that if you are worried about someone, try talking to them.
“It’s okay if you’re not an expert, just listening can help someone work through what is on their mind.
“We want to raise awareness listening can save lives.”
In 2018, more than 20,000 people volunteered their time for Samaritans, spending over one million hours responding to calls for help, reaching more than half a million people through work in communities.
With 201 branches across the UK and Ireland, Samaritans respond to a call for help every six seconds, and the charity that believes that really listening to each other, and encouraging people to ask for support will make a difference in reducing the number of lives lost to suicide.
As part of ‘Talk to Us’, Lanarkshire Samaritans hopes that using the SHUSH listening tips will motivate the public to lend a helpful ear to friends, families and anyone else who may be struggling. This is:
• Show you care. Focus just on the other person, make eye contact, put away your phone.
• Have patience; it may take time and several attempts before a person is ready to open up.
• Use open questions that need more than a yes or no answer and follow up, eg ‘tell me more’.
• Say it back, to check you have understood, but don’t interrupt or offer a solution.
• Have courage. Don’t be put off by a negative response, and don’t be afraid to leave silence.
Anyone can contact Samaritans free any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit, and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.
Alternatively, email jo@samaritans. org or visit the Hamilton branch at 4 Selkirk Place, Hamilton, ML3 6RQ.
For more on the charity visit samaritans.org or you can follow them on social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.