First launched in 2017, Samaritans #SmallTalkSavesLives campaign encourages the public to start a simple conversation if they think someone isn’t OK at railway stations or other public places, if they
New research released by Samaritans reveals over half of UK adults (67%) would appreciate someone checking on them, by offering words of support, if they were struggling to cope. As part of this year’s campaign, volunteers from North Herts & Stevenage Samaritans (also known as Hitchin Samaritans) were at Stevenage Railway Station on Wednesday 12 March to encourage and reassure commuters to start a conversation – as two in five (44%) say they find themselves struggling to cope.
Nearly half of respondents (40%) admit to avoiding someone who didn’t look OK because they were afraid of making small talk with them. From this group, 30% said they weren’t sure what to say, while over a third (35%) said they were worried their help would not be welcomed. But small talk, is no small thing and we’re all better at it than we think.
A new campaign film has been released to remind the public that when it comes to saving a life, you already have a life-saving kit available to you – your words.
Speaking about the campaign, Hitchin Samaritans Branch co-Director, Wendy Roberts, reassured those concerned they might make things worse. She said, “You don’t have to be an expert to start a conversation with someone who might be struggling to cope. A simple "Hey, are you alright?" can be all it takes to interrupt someone's suicidal thoughts. Anyone can do it. If someone doesn’t look OK, starting a conversation could save their life.”
Delivered in partnership with Network Rail, British Transport Police and the wider rail industry, this latest phase of the campaign runs from 4-25 March 2025. More information about the campaign can be found on the Samaritans website.