Samaritans

James is running a marathon every day in 2024, and today he’s at his halfway point. This is an absolutely huge challenge, and he’s taking it on to fundraise for us. Please leave him some love and encouragement in the comments 💚 Here are some words from James 👇 “I experienced a depressive period in my life that rocked me to my core. After that, I started to fundraise for others who might be struggling. During those times in my life when it’s been tough, having someone there to listen to me has made a huge difference and that’s what Samaritans do. Sadly, I lost my uncle to suicide, which is where my connections with Samaritans began. It made me want to be there for others when they need it. During those moments on my daily marathons, when I’m thinking ‘Can I keep going?’, it spurs me on to know that Samaritans are there for people who are thinking the same about life. I’d say to anyone else struggling right now, know you aren’t alone. There are a lot of people who are feeling or have felt how you do. Get help from someone you trust – whether that’s a friend or talking to a service like Samaritans. Be gentle with yourself. Lower the requirements you have on yourself for a day – the small things are wins. Getting out of bed, making a cup of tea – anything that helps you recognise your power. Know that it will pass – nothing is permanent.” Thank you James, for everything you do for us, we’re so proud to have an amazing supporter like you. We’ll be cheering you on for the rest of the year 💚

“Last year was my first Pride parade, I was holding my wife’s hand and pretty much crying the whole way round thinking about how far I’ve come. From five years ago, miserable and a shell of who I was meant to be. To walking in London Pride being cheered on by strangers.” Sarah spoke with one of our volunteers when she has having a hard time, now she wants to share her story, to help others know they’re not alone. 💚 “Back in 2020 I wasn’t in a good way. I spoke with a Samaritans volunteer. That conversation saved me. It was first time I’d said out loud that I was gay. At the time, I was married to a man. We got married extremely young. As time went on, deep down I knew I was gay. Getting to say that out and loud and experiencing the volunteer not only listening to me, but really hearing me was so important. After 27 years of pretending to be someone I wasn’t, it meant so much. I cried for pretty much the entire conversation, she listened and was so kind. She helped me see that I deserved a chance to be happy. That I had lots to offer and that my presence in the world was important, even when I hadn’t been feeling like that at all. That conversation had such an impact on my life, thank you will never be enough. Five years down the line, everything has changed for me, and I’m so glad I’m here to see it. Living authentically is just the most incredible thing. Coming out was hard - beyond hard. It was a process of letting go of what I'd been told my life would look like. It was a scary process, but my life now is beyond anything I could have ever wanted for myself, all because I was able to keep going.” Thank you so much for sharing your story with us Sarah. 💚 Remember, you can always talk to us on 116 123 if you need someone to listen. If you need more specialist LGBTQ+ support you can reach out to @switchboardlgbt. Available 10am-10pm daily on 0300 330 0630 or chris@switchboard.lgbt

According to the ONS, the risk of suicide for men in construction is three times higher than the national average. This is a statistic we can’t ignore. Our Aberdeen branch have teamed up with Cala Group Limited to create “Constructing Healthy Minds”. The powerful film addresses challenges faced by construction workers and the stigma around discussing mental health. In the film, Cala colleagues bravely share their experiences of seeking mental health support and helping others. Their stories highlight how support from colleagues, teams, and organisations like Samaritans can make a big difference. Watch the film and find out more about our partnership with Cala Homes here: https://bit.ly/3WRJ1nM

Talking about how you’re feeling and what you’re going through can be really difficult. Seeking help may feel even more daunting. We want you to know that you’re not alone. We’re here if you want to talk things through before or after an appointment 💚 If you’re thinking about reaching out to your GP but not sure what to say or do, these tips might help: 1️⃣ Be totally, completely honest 2️⃣ Bring someone with you 3️⃣ Make use of external material 4️⃣ Write things down Read on for more details on how to talk to your GP and what happens after 👇 https://lnkd.in/euCZGURh

Francesca called us when she was going through a tough time. Watch her video to find out more. 👇

Let us know in the comments below 👇 You never know who might need to read it.

If today feels hard, please know that you don't have to face it alone 💚 You can talk to us day or night 📱 116 123

#Euro2024 kicks off tomorrow and there’s lots of excitement in the air. 🏆⚽ As we gear up to cheer on our favourite teams here’s a quick reminder we need to be massive supporters of our mates too. 2 in 3 football fans say they’ve struggled with their mental health, and a massive 94% say they have never opened up about it to someone they play or watch football with. We know what a huge difference reaching out and talking can make. So, if you’re already talking about the score, why not ask about a little more? Let’s tackle this together and make talking about how we’re feeling as normal as discussing tomorrow’s match. We can all make the time to check in and #TalkMoreThanFootball. Enjoy the matches, support your teams and let’s all look out for each other. Remember if you’re going through a difficult time right now, you’re not alone. We’re always here 24/7 to listen on 116 123. Cheers to our partner Three UK for teaming up with us to help smash the stigma around talking about difficult feelings. 💪

Have you heard of the Feelings Wheel? Sometimes, it can be really tricky to understand our emotions. The Feelings Wheel is a visual tool that may help you identify what you’re feeling and communicate what you need in 3 steps: 1️⃣ Check-in with yourself 2️⃣ Communicate your emotions 3️⃣ Take appropriate action Learn how the Feelings Wheel works and why you should give it a go 👇 https://bit.ly/3Vk0qnW

It’s #LonelinessAwarenessWeek, so let’s talk about it. Most of us will feel lonely at some point in our lives. You don’t have to be alone to feel lonely. You can feel lonely in a crowd, with colleagues at work or with your friends and family. You can feel lonely in your relationship. It can be a part of life at any age. Feeling lonely can sometimes be triggered by things like going to university or moving to a new place, retiring or changing jobs, going through a bereavement or a relationship break-up. Sometimes it can have no specific trigger at all. It’s important to know that there are things we can do to help ease feelings of loneliness and feel connected to ourselves and others. Here's how 👉 https://bit.ly/3LX8ZxJ We're always here on 116 123 if you need someone to listen 📱