How to save a life

There is 1 suicide every 94 minutes in the UK. The highest rates of suicide occur in Scotland - in Shetland, for men; in Glasgow, for women. The high rate in Scotland has been linked to deprivation. More people die through suicide in Scotland than through road traffic accidents.

I contacted the samaritans today. This is kinda what i said -



They are good. Sometimes, things are happening or have happened in our lives and we feel we can't share everything with friends, because we don't want to burden people, or because we don't want to appear unhappy or weak. I found it easier to open up to a non-judgemental stranger who has no connection with my life, by just answering some calm, simple and straightforward questions. I think that everything is going to be ok now. If you are suicidal, distressed or in despair, contact them NOW. Or if you just need someone to talk to or are worried about something, no matter how big or small, or are feeling down, contact them. Just say "help" and they will be there with you for however long it takes. And if you can spare £3 a month to help them to keep providing this vital service, that would be good. I would like, perhaps after the new year when things are better, to be able to pay forward what they're doing for me, and work as a Samaritans volunteer. And thank you to Rob from Canada, the listener who offered a virtual space for me to talk, and who would've stayed up with me all night if necessary, for starting the ball rolling.

http://www.samaritans.org/
08457 909090
jo@samaritans.org