As Leeds gears up for the festive season with Sing for Samaritans at the Holy Trinity Church, Samaritans are highlighting the reality that many of us will find it hard to have a happy Christmas.
Feelings of loneliness, isolation or uncertainty, together with health, family, work, relationship and money issues, can make life really tough. Leeds Samaritans is asking everyone to take time to understand what’s going on in our own and others’ lives. Just listening can encourage people to open up and ask for the support they need.
One in five adults has felt suicidal at one time or another. It can happen to anyone. On average, more than 500 people take their own lives in the UK every month. We need to ask how we can save lives, not just at Christmas but all year round and listening is a good place to start.
Samaritans have produced a set of vouchers that can be given as Christmas presents. Each voucher entitles the person to some one-to-one listening time with the giver. It could be over a coffee, on a walk, or as part of a night in watching a box set. The vouchers are available to download from Samaritans’ website along with a free guide giving tips on how to be a good listener, what to do when someone doesn’t want to talk, and how to look after yourself if you’re supporting others this Christmas.
Samaritans would also like to encourage donations of £4.26 to the charity – the cost of taking just one life-saving call.
This Christmas, spend time with the people you really care about and try to listen to somebody who needs it. If you’re feeling unhappy, down or overwhelmed, you can always speak to someone by calling Samaritans on 116 123 – you can email, text or write to Samaritans too, see details on Find samaritans.org They are always there, even at Christmas.
Find out more about Samaritans’ #RealChristmas campaign at www.samaritans.org/realchristmas and download your gift of listening vouchers at www.samaritans.org/frommetoyou. For further information, please contact publicity@samaritansleeds.org