The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Perth Samaritans turning January blues into brews
Free teabags handed out at railway station to support commuters feeling suicidal
Samaritans workers were at Perth’s railway station yesterday handing out free teabags to commuters.
The initiative was a bid to tackle “Blue Monday” by raising awareness of support for people feeling suicidal.
More than 150 “Brew Monday” events were held at railway stations across the UK in conjunction with Network Rail, to encourage people to make time to talk on what has been described as the most depressing day of the year.
The charity wants to remove the third Monday of the year’s negative connotations into a positive and eventually wants to see the message spread every Monday in January and February.
Perth Samaritans were among those turning the blues into brews by encouraging friends, family and workmates to have a chat over a cuppa with someone who may be feeling lonely and also raise vital funds for the charity.
Volunteers from the Fair City branch were at the railway station from 7-9am.
The Perth branch of Samaritans currently has 49 volunteers helping to answer some of the millions of calls for help responded to every year.
Local director Maggie Taylor said: “During the cold and grey winter months, connecting with others over a cuppa can help weather the ups and downs of life.
“Anyone can hold a Brew Monday event at work, at home, wherever and whenever you like – all you need is a kettle and some mugs, and this could make a huge difference in someone’s life.”
Industry figures show nearly 2,000 lifesaving interventions were carried out by rail staff, police and members of the public on the network last year.
Ian Stevens, Network Rail’s Suicide Prevention Programme manager, said: “Brew Monday is a great opportunity for the rail industry to show its support for Samaritans and the fantastic work they do in helping people up and down the country.
“Millions of people use the rail network every day and – if through this campaign – we can encourage them to talk about their problems over a cup of tea, we will have made a significant contribution to their lives and to the lives of those around them.”