Winter can be a tough time for many, but support is at hand as Cheltenham and District Samaritans’ new #BreaktheSilence campaign aims to remind everyone that they don't need to struggle alone.
Samaritans’ new winter campaign #BreaktheSilence is encouraging people to open up about their struggles with mental health and suicidal feelings. Every 90 minutes in the UK, someone dies by suicide, but talking saves lives.
The charity is asking people to donate to keep Samaritans here for people to talk to when they are ready to break their silence. Making a donation as little as £5 will help Samaritans’ volunteers answer a call for help from someone struggling this winter.
Volunteers from Cheltenham and District will join over 13,000 listening volunteers at Samaritans branches across the UK and Ireland to answer calls for help from people feeling overwhelmed this winter.
This time of year can be challenging for all sorts of reasons. Whether it's family problems, financial worries or the grief for the loss of a loved one, the festive season can often magnify these pressures which might be especially hard this year, with many households facing the Cost of Living crisis.
But we understand that difficult feelings can be felt at any season, which is why our volunteers are here day and night, 365 days a year to give people the space to explore feelings that perhaps they cannot share with anyone else.
Last year, Samaritans volunteers responded to 244,254 calls in the UK and Ireland over the festive period. Volunteers from Cheltenham and District branch will be there round-the-clock to make sure that people who are struggling always have someone to turn to.
Visit samaritans.org/silence for more information on Samaritans Winter Appeal and to donate to Cheltenham and District Samaritans.