Samaritans in link-up campaign to cut number of suicides

Charity: Posters with hidden messages used in We Listen campaign

A major campaign to cut suicides is being launched as research suggests three quarters of people do not feel able to open up about their true emotions.

The Samaritans is working with Network Rail on Monday to launch its We Listen campaign, which will see posters containing hidden messages where people claiming to be fine reveal they are not OK at all, put up in stations.

One says: “I’m all right with being single I guess. It’s not ideal for the kids, but they seem to be coping”, but the real message is “I’m not coping.”

Another states: “I’m going to be all right. It’s not so bad spending a lot of time alone”, where in reality the message is “I’m so alone.”

It comes as research commissioned by the Samaritans show that while twothirds (64%) of people in the UK believe they are good listeners, less than a quarter (23%) feel they can talk when something is on their mind.

The Samaritans hope their poster campaign will encourage those having suicidal thoughts to phone the charity’s helpline.

The campaign comes as the spotlight has fallen on mental health, and the need for more and better care.

Last week the Duchess of Cambridge dedicated her time as guest editor of the Huffington Post website to commission articles and spark discussion about mental health problems, particularly among children.

In a blog for the website, she called for the stigma around mental health to be broken down and said she “would not hesitate” in seeking support for her children if they needed it.

Samaritans chief executive Ruth Sutherland said: “Life’s pressures can build, without you even realising. It’s all too easy to turn away, ignore how you’re feeling, and put on a brave face.

“But you don’t have to do that with Samaritans. Samaritans volunteers make time for you and really listen to you, because simply being listened to can help you put into words what’s really going on in your life and help you find a way through.

“It might be the pressures of family, relationships, work, health, finances – or anything else. Life can be tough, and it’s a strength not a weakness to reach out for support.”

Many suicides occur on railways and Network Rail has been working with Samaritans to raise awareness of the charity’s support for the past six years.

Samaritans can be contacted for free on 116 123 or at samaritans.org.

Samaritans volunteers make time for you and really listen to you, because simply being listened to can help you ... find a way through. RUTH SUTHERLAND