Samaritans receiving 7,000 calls daily

Samaritans Scotland is currently receiving around 7,000 calls daily.

Rachel Cackett, the charity’s executive director, said: “This is a stressful time for all of us but for some more than others.

“We’re all in it together but we’re not all in it equally. Some people have particularly high stresses and struggles.

“We provide a listening service for anyone who is struggling, including those in suicidal crisis, but you don’t have to be at that point to contact us.”

Rachel said one in three calls made to the charity specifically mentions Covid-19 but “it is there” in all the calls, whether that be directly or indirectly with the knock-on effect of the pandemic.

She added: “Many of the callers talk about the same pressure points which we are all facing in varying degrees – concerns over health, money, relationships, jobs, furlough, family health.

“Some people are anxious and more distressed than before lockdown and those who had pre-existing mental health issues have lost many of their coping mechanisms.”

A newly-designed app has been introduced by the charity, available free directly from Samaritans Scotland, which enables people to track their moods, recognise triggers, and provides helpful tips and exercises to suit individual’s mental health needs.

An app developed in Dundee called, Suicide? Help! is also available for free download on the IOS app store or Google Play store.

It contains contact details of local and national organisations, information about suicide, a guide to helping those in distress and a template for creating a safety plan.

Tayside Suicide Help website can be found at suicidehelp.co.uk

Rachel Cackett, Samaritans Scotland executive director.