Samaritans is a charity organisation offering support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to anyone in the UK who wants to speak with someone confidentially about anything troubling them for as long as they need.

The service is run by more than 21,000 volunteers who provide support over the phone, online, by text, face-to-face or via letters – helping millions of people get back up on their feet.

In support of the Samaritans’ campaigns over the years on the 24th day of the seventh month, NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is helping to raise awareness and remind the community that emotional support is available 24/7.

Rachel Potts, the CCG’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We aim to achieve the best health and wellbeing for everyone in our community, and this includes emotional wellbeing.

“We want people to be aware of the great work that Samaritans do and to consider ways in which the charity may be able to help if they ever find themselves struggling to cope with any number of life’s pressures.

Rachel added: “The Samaritans will help you to explore your options so you can make decisions that are right for you.”

The community is encouraged to contact the Samaritans if they notice someone else is need of support. You can ask Samaritans to contact whoever you’re worried about by phone, email, text or letter, and they’ll contact them in the way you suggest with the details you provide.

Lynette Banks, Director of York Samaritans, said: “We answer more than five million calls for help each year. People talk to us about a whole range of issues. It might be money troubles, family struggles, job stress, relationship issues, loneliness, isolation worthlessness or even feeling suicidal. Whatever you’ve done, whatever life has thrown at you, you can talk to us in confidence.”

“It does not matter what kind of problem you or someone you know has, however big or small it may seem compared to the problems other people have, what matters to us is how your life is making you feel. Of course many people who call us are not suicidal, but we still want them to contact us if they’re struggling to cope.

“Samaritans will be there for anybody who needs someone to listen to them. We’re available round the clock every single day of the year. Anyone who needs to talk can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, email jo@samaritans.org or contact the York Samaritans branch on 01904 655 888.”

For more information please visit the Samaritans website: www.samaritans.org

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