Spring/Summer 2015 Issue 26 We're here round the clock "I want to help raise money for this fantastic cause." Lisa, Samaritans supporter Inside this issue: Lisa s story Network Rail success Latest suicide statistics
Kate s story In the last 11 years, Kate, 29, has battled anxiety and depression. But she is now a care worker, and ran the Great North Run 2014 to raise money for Samaritans. I partially lost my hearing when I was 16. I was bullied and suffered from anxiety and low self-esteem as a child and teenager. When I was at university, this developed into depression and suicidal feelings, and an attempt to take my life when I was 18, followed by several more attempts in my life. After university my mum left my dad, leaving me with him and my younger brother. I then lost three jobs in quick succession. It was about this time that I started to regularly use Samaritans as a source of support, as I felt very isolated and that I had no one else to turn to. Samaritans volunteers got me through some extremely difficult and tense situations, and some of their words stay with me to this day. I remember them being there for me during my darkest moments. Samaritans offered me someone to talk to in confidence, a friendly anonymous voice that made me feel safe. After some time I moved to Italy for a fresh start. I learnt to speak a bit of Italian without any lessons, met some very interesting people and learnt to live in a new community and culture. This was a good time in my life, and I was able to feel positive again. Since returning six years ago I have worked in various roles in sales, advertising, and marketing, I felt very isolated and that I had no one else to turn to. but things have not always worked out. I have been in a few destructive relationships, and had several redundancies. I have had very low selfesteem, and my depression and anxiety started to creep back. I have had some real lows where I have felt like ending things but during this time one thing has remained constant: 24/7 We're here round the clock 2
I am starting to feel more like myself again and Samaritans has been a big part of this for me. Kate, Samaritans supporter Samaritans is there for me. Whatever the time of day, or wherever I am, Samaritans has always picked me back up when I have hit rock bottom. I am starting to feel more like myself again and Samaritans has been a big part of this for me. I decided to run the Great North Run, which has always been an ambition of mine, and combine it with raising money for Samaritans as they have helped me so much. I hope Samaritans continues to do its excellent work for other people. No one should be alone in their darkest hours. I owe so much to the kind volunteers who give up their time and try to make a positive difference to someone else s life. Talk to us If things are getting to you. 08457 90 90 90 * (UK) 116 123 (ROI) jo@samaritans.org www.samaritans.org visit us find your nearest branch on our website *Please see our website for latest call charges. 3 Spring I Summer 2015
Ready, set, go! Samaritans has been chosen as the Official Silver Charity of the 2015 Windsor Triathlon. This year the event, on 14 June, is celebrating its 25th anniversary and continues to be a stand-out event in the triathlon calendar. Set in the grounds of Windsor Castle, it is a must do event for triathletes and budding triathletes alike. There are two distances to choose from: The Sprint Triathlon A 750m swim, 30km bike, and a 5km run The Olympic Triathlon A 1.5km swim, 42km bike, and a 10km run To join Team Samaritans and secure your guaranteed place for only 20, contact Bay: 020 8394 8256 b.rees@samaritans.org www.samaritans.org/events By fundraising for Samaritans you ll receive: a Team Samaritans fundraising pack a branded, breathable running vest a dedicated point of contact throughout your entire journey help & advice from our Press Team newsletters & training plans the loudest cheering points in town along the route a goodie bag from the Samaritans stand in the event village. Samaritans would love you to join the team! 24/7 We're here round the clock 4
Lisa s story Lisa Rodrigues CBE from Brighton, was Chief Executive of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust for 13 years. Lisa retired in 2014 and is now a writer and mental health campaigner. You can sponsor Lisa at www.justgiving.com/ LisaRodrigues2015 On Sunday 2 August, Lisa will be taking on the challenge of cycling 100 miles in the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100, in aid of Samaritans. We ask Lisa why she wanted to take part in this event and what it means to be cycling as part of Team Samaritans. In the late 1970s I was a listening volunteer for the Horsham and Crawley Samaritans branch. I loved it, but at the time I had my own unresolved issues, so after 2 years I gave up being a volunteer. In the past I have experienced anxiety and depression, and felt suicidal at times, and I have had personal contact with Samaritans. In 2013 I had my worst ever episode of depression. As I was getting better, I felt I needed to start being more honest about my experiences in order to help break down the stigma that people like me experience from others, and even from ourselves. And now I have retired from running the trust, I have more time for volunteering and campaigning. When I am well, I find that exercise outdoors, especially cycling, is good for my mental health. I will be 60 a few days after Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100, so it feels like the right time to take on a personal physical challenge. I need to improve my stamina, speed and strength to finish the ride, but most of all, I need to nurture a positive mental attitude towards what will be a strenuous event for me. I am so thankful to Samaritans for what they do to help people like me. I want to help raise the profile of Samaritans and also raise money for this fantastic cause. Cycle with Lisa and take up the 100 mile challenge with Team Samaritans! To find out more and to register your interest, visit www.samaritans.org/ ridelondon, email Emma at e.burgess@samaritans.org or ring 020 8394 8357 5 Spring I Summer 2015
In numbers: 2013 suicide stats The latest suicide statistics were released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in February this year and revealed that suicides rose by 4% in 2013. Men are 3 times more likely to die by suicide than women. The male suicide rate is the highest since 2001 especially among middle aged men aged 45 to 59. Suicide remains the leading cause of death for 20 to 34 year olds, in England and Wales. There were 6,233 suicides in the UK Samaritans has been concerned about the risk of these groups for some time, so over the coming years we will continue to reach out to these high risk groups including: men in their middle years, people in socio-economically deprived areas and distressed people in online settings. We provide training for people in contact with vulnerable groups; work with the media to promote the responsible representation and portrayal of suicidal behaviour; partner with the rail industry to reduce suicide on the railways; and support families and communities affected by suicide. 24/7 We're here round the clock 6
Seasonal changes Most of us won t be surprised to know that seasons can have an effect on our mood. Long winter nights can leave many of us wanting to hibernate and willing the sunshine to make a welcome return. You may think that suicidal patterns would follow the moods of the seasons, but a comprehensive study, Suicide and Seasonality (Christodoulou et al, 2012) suggests that spring brings a peak in suicide activity. The reasons why are not fully known, but one factor could be that spring denotes new beginnings, when people start to become more sociable and may appear happier. This can make others feel worse than they have done before. If you or anyone you know is struggling to cope, you can get in touch. We re always here Round the clock, every single day of the year 08457 90 90 90 * (UK) 116 123 (ROI) jo@samaritans.org *Please see www.samaritans.org for latest call charges. 7 Spring I Summer 2015
Samaritans rail training in action Sharon Willet, 43, is a Customer Service Assistant at Northgate station. After identifying a vulnerable 15-year-old boy on the platform, Sharon used her Samaritans training to intervene with the boy s plans to end his life. On a cold late shift in January 2011, Sharon spotted a boy isolated at the top of the platform. Trains came and went but the boy made no move to board. Sharon didn t spot any photography equipment indicating that he was a train enthusiast, either. These signs, in combination with his anxious body language, led her to believe something was wrong. After offering him a place in the warm waiting room, the boy told her to leave him alone in colourful language. Sharon recognised the potential danger of the situation and the workers stopped the trains to make it a safer environment for the boy. She approached him a second time, and he became very irritated by her presence and ran to the edge of the platform. She tried to calm him by engaging in Samaritans training definitely helped me know what to do. conversation. He became agitated and burst out in anger, saying he hated trains, he hated his life, and he wanted it all to end. At that point I knew we had a serious situation so I sat there and talked to him, Sharon said. He then started to cry and let his emotions out, telling me he was being bullied, self-harming, and taking painkillers. He couldn t take any more and wanted to escape his problems. I used a lot of what I learned in the training, she said. I used my listening skills and asked him to tell me more about his situation. The training helped Sharon know how to act. In these difficult situations, there is a grey area of What if I say the wrong thing? The training tells you exactly what to say, how to approach the 24/7 We're here round the clock 8
person, and how to tailor the conversation so it s about them and not about you. Once the boy opened up, Sharon took him to a waiting room where she called his parents. They were very upset when they arrived, and had no idea their son was struggling so much. Sharon always carries a few Samaritans cards, so she gave one to the mother and explained their services before they took the boy home. The family was very grateful for Sharon s intervention and keep her updated on the boy s progress. He went through counselling, began college, and passed his first module with distinction. I m glad I was able to help the boy during that difficult time, she said. Samaritans training definitely helped me know what to do. Working with Network Rail We are delighted to announce that a new contract has been signed with Network Rail, confirming we ll be supporting the rail industry in the suicide prevention and support programme for a further five years. This extension is recognition of some great achievements for the Samaritans and Network Rail partnership and a continued belief that together we can lead the rail industry in reducing these tragic incidents. Since 2010, Samaritans has trained over 7,500 rail industry personnel in our Managing Suicidal Contacts course with 115 reported life-saving interventions from attendees to date. We have also trained a further 1,200 staff in our Trauma Support training course that provides rail managers with the skills to recognise employees suffering from trauma, and help them seek further support. Sharon Willet was highly commended at the Business Excellence Community Awards. 9 Spring I Summer 2015
Connect is now live! Connect is our brand new system for connecting callers with volunteers. Before Connect was live, our out-dated phone system meant that callers could only get through to volunteers within their region. But now, after rigorous planning and testing, Connect will mean callers can always get through if there is a volunteer available to speak to them, wherever they are in the UK. This means we will be able to answer more calls, with the aim that no caller will have to hear an engaged tone. Connect will also make it possible for us to collect better data on call volumes and patterns so we can make sure that we have the right number of volunteers available in branches at the right times. 24/7 We're here round the clock 10
HELP US BE THERE WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS Leave the precious gift of hope in your Will. Over the last 60 years Samaritans has grown from one man and a phone to 201 branches in the UK and Ireland, with 21,200 volunteers. We receive millions of calls for help each year, from people who feel they have nowhere else to turn. No matter what happens in the years ahead, Samaritans will be there for people who feel there s no way to go on. There will always be a need for the irreplaceable support Samaritans offers. That s why gifts in Wills are absolutely critical. However big or small, your legacy could help us be there for people struggling to cope round the clock, every day of the year. PLEASE CONTACT US 03709 00 00 32 www.samaritans.org/legacy Charity registered in England and Wales No. 219432 and in Scotland No. SCO40604. 11 Spring I Summer 2015