‘We are good listeners – that is essentially what we all do’

Suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 50 and of young people aged 16 to 24.

In the UK and Republic of Ireland, 6,859 people took their life in 2018.

Suicide is complex and behind these statistics are 6,859 individuals each with their own unique story.

Every suicide has a devastating impact on the person’s family, friends, colleagues and community.

Working hard to reduce these distressing statistics are the Samaritans. The local branch is headed by Graham Hall.

‘I was asked recently to say a few words on stage about what we do as Samaritans,’ he said.

‘I think I said something along the lines of some of us – me included – are not great talkers as a rule, but we are all good listeners, and that is, essentially, what we do – we listen.’

The Samaritans do something called active listening, which is engaging with callers, supporting them, encouraging them, empathising with them and showing them that they are being heard.

Samaritans do not judge, counsel or give advice, but if people are looking for answers or solutions, they can often find their own pathways or look at things from a different perspective just by talking things through with a complete stranger at the other end of a phone or by email.

Best known for its 24-hour helpline on 116123, which is open all day every day, this life-saving number is dialled every six seconds.

The Guernsey branch forms part of the broader Samaritans network, so they could be taking calls from all over the UK, as well as the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

They also have people who go into the branch for face-to-face meetings and work locally in the community with listener schemes at the prison.

With more volunteers they could run more community projects, give presentations in schools and workplaces and raise the profile of their crucial work.

‘Our vision is that fewer people die by suicide, and our mission is to make sure there’s someone there for anyone who needs someone,’ Mr Hall said.

‘We campaign to make suicide prevention a national and local priority.’

In the Guernsey branch, during the lockdown, Samaritans provided emotional support more than 2,000 times.

Since lockdown, more than a quarter of calls have come from people specifically concerned about Covid-19.

‘We haven’t seen a significant change in the number of calls for help we receive during this time, but our volunteers are telling us that there has been an increase in emails because callers are finding it difficult to talk on the phone in private during lockdown,’ Mr Hall said.

‘The most common caller concerns explicitly related to Covid-19 are loneliness and/or isolation, mental health and illness, family, and finance and unemployment.’

When it comes to fundraising, the Samaritans initially struggled to raise funds due to external activities being cancelled, but the charity received a tremendous response to its Emergency Appeal.

It has also been supported by many local people, foundations and businesses.

• To find out more about the Samaritans Guernsey LBG visit www.samaritans.org/branches/guernsey or dial 116123 (free from any phone) or 711030 (local call charges apply).

Messages of self-care in relation to Covid-19

• Many people struggle to cope at one point or another, so it is important to remember that you are not feeling alone in this and that it is only temporary and will pass in time.

• Talking about how you’re feeling can help put things into perspective and help you to feel more positive about the future.

• Simple things such as making time for yourself when you are at home, relaxing and doing things you enjoy – whether that’s reading or doing something creative or gardening – can really help and improve your wellbeing.