‘I have never forgotten how much Samaritans helped me in my devastating grief...’
This past 18 months, a year like no other, has been incredibly tough on everyone. People may feel like they struggle to cope, even at the best of times. We mark World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 by speaking to Samaritans about how they’re raising awareness and supporting those in need of help.
Kathryn is a volunteer with Samaritans in Norwich. After receiving the devastating news that her sister had passed away, she sought help from the charity.
She said: “Alison was 53 when she died. We went through our parents’ deaths in 2003 and 2006 and she hadn’t sought any help afterwards.
“It was a massive shock when a paramedic called me at work to say that she was with my sister and there was nothing she nor anyone could do - I just couldn’t take it in.
“I found out after Alison’s death that she had tried to take her life several times before. We were close and it is devastating that she didn’t feel she could tell me how she was suffering. I often wonder if she called Samaritans, because I feel that if she had done then maybe she would still be here now.
“When I returned to work after her death, my boss escorted me to a Samaritans branch. I spent over an hour having face-to-face support and I have never forgotten how much that helped me in my devastating grief.
“I felt I wanted to support others who may be feeling as desperate as I was when I went to Samaritans.
“It took three years before I felt in a mentally strong enough place to be able to consider becoming a Samaritan. By then I had come to terms with what had happened through support and counselling.
“There will always be many unanswered questions about my sister, and it was very hard not being able to say goodbye. I always look forward to doing my Samaritans shifts. Samaritans is a big part of my life now.
“Contacting Samaritans is seen as a last resort but the service is so much more than that and we are there for people no matter what is troubling them.
“I’m so passionate about their work and want to try to help others, preferably before they reach crisis point. Samaritans don’t give advice, we just listen and that’s what many people need.
“If I feel low and I need to raise my spirits to feel more hopeful, I pick up the phone and call a very good friend. Getting out of the house can make me feel more positive so I do gardening or I exercise.”
Back in July, Walsall resident Barinderjit Singh Cheema, also known as Barry (or Usingh Bolt to his running friends), took on an incredible challenge.
As part of Samaritans’ ‘Samarathon’ event, 45-yearold Barry took on a marathon every day of the month in order to raise money and support a cause he holds dear. He clocked up 814 miles over six days and 17 hours of running.
Barry explained why: “Men’s mental heath is really important to me and I love the fact that Samaritans is available 24/7. Samaritans helps those struggling with their mental health, and as we emerge from the pandemic, the service is more important than ever.
“I have been made redundant twice in my working career and that’s hard to deal with - especially when they happened in recessions with a very tough job market to navigate and find another suitable job. I appreciate more than most the difficulties that unemployment brings.
“The reason I run is that I know people can really benefit from exercise – it’s such an achievement and so therapeutic.”
Naturally, Barry says for tips on how to feel more hopeful he would recommend a run. He said: “Just getting outside can make a huge difference, instead of being inside where you might start to feel overwhelmed.”
For those who don’t class themselves as runners, Barry offers other tips: “I think it’s important when feeling less hopeful to distance yourself from social media or watching TV, and reduce the number of distractions you have, especially mobile phones.
“If I am on a five to 10 mile run it is my time. I have my phone but only for safety reasons, it’s all about time away from a screen.”
To donate to Barry’s amazing Samarathon effort, visit: https://samarathon.samaritans.org/fundraising/usinghbolt31