ISSUE 24
SPRING/SUMMER 2014
‘I’M PLEASED TO SAY THAT LIFE FEELS GOOD AGAIN’ ory Read Gabrielle's st on pages 8 & 9
land and Wales Charity registered in Eng 24_7_newsletter_SPRING 2014 v7.indd 1
d No. SCO40604
No. 219432 and in Scotlan
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WHAT WE’VE BEEN U Bristol research
Samaritans are joining forces with Bristol University to carry out groundbreaking research on the role the internet plays for those with suicidal thoughts. This is the first time this hugely important issue will be researched by talking to people who have used the internet when they were feeling suicidal. We hope this project will help us to deliver more effective practical support for people struggling to cope.
HELP WHEN WE NEEDED IT MOST Guidance on preparing for and responding to suicide in school communities
STEP BY STEP Guidance on preparing for and responding to suicide in school communities
Step by step booklet A4 2013.indd 1
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Work in schools
Samaritans works with secondary schools to help raise awareness around emotional heath. Our DEAL programme (Developing Emotional Awareness and Learning) is a resource designed to help develop the skills that young people need to cope with life's challenges. We also give talks in schools and have a Step by Step service which helps teachers and pupils deal with the aftermath of a suicide. WORKPLACE TRAIN
ING
1
19/02/2013 15:43:39
STEP BY STEP
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out of every you give helps run our services or raises money to keep them running round the clock. The other 4p covers
N UP TO…
Admin costs
96p £1
other administration costs.
icon
Letters
Last year we received over 5 million calls for help – that’s one call every six seconds. But we can only answer these calls for help because of the kind support we get from people like you.
The Samaritans Correspondence branch answers written letters from anyone who needs our help. There has been a long-term decline in writing letters, but we have bucked this trend, with the number of letters we receive increasing year after year.
Thank you! For emotional support 08457 90 90 90* (UK) 1850 60 90 90* (ROI) jo@samaritans.org
In 2005, we received our lowest ever number of letters — 724, in total. In 2013, we received 1,585 letters which means we’ve more than doubled our contacts by letter in the last eight years!
www.samaritans.org Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK
Chris, PO Box 90 90 Stirling FK8 2SA
visit us – find your nearest branch on our website
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OUR TV AND PRESS W For two decades we have been working closely with the media, offering expert advice on how to safely portray suicide and self-harm. Here our Media Advisor, Lorna Fraser, gives us an insight into her work.
"Extensive research shows strong links between media portrayal of suicide and imitative behaviour among vulnerable people. By improving standards of reporting we can reduce the risk of copycat deaths. I feel privileged to be involved in such important work, as I continually see the huge impact it can have. On a daily basis I monitor all news reporting of suicide and when I come across something I feel could encourage copycat behaviour, I contact the publication to remind them of the Samaritans guidelines and request changes be made to online versions of the story.
We recently worked with the production team at Coronation Street to help make sure the Hayley Cropper storyline was handled sensitively. Samaritans' contact details were included at the end of the episode and we saw an increase in calls that night of 30%.
Specifically our advice focuses around areas such as: the risks of detailing suicide methods
As well as supporting news teams up and down the country on how to responsibly report suicide, I also work alongside producers of soaps, dramas and documentaries giving expert advice on the safe portrayal of this challenging topic."
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avoiding sensationalising or romanticising suicide the importance of encouraging help-seeking behaviour portraying the realities of suicide.
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Some tips we give the media:
S WORK
pport Include references to su groups and places where help. suicidal people can find
‘Extensive research shows strong links between media portrayal of suicide and imitative behaviour among vulnerable people.’
Refrain from mentioning t websites or networks tha icide. promote or glamorise su onalist Avoid dramatic or sensati pictures or video. mplex Don’t brush over the co realities of suicide and its d. impact on those left behin
We have recently published a new edition of our Media Guidelines for Reporting Suicide and we are now busy promoting these to the media.
MEDIA GUIDELINES for Reporting Suicide
This is a great opportunity for us to encourage the media to use our guidelines and to educate them on the complexities of suicide.
© 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited
g organisation Samaritans is the leadin generous in this area, and it’s your is important support which enables th work to continue.
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Contact Samaritans’ press office
+44 (0)20 8394 8300 Out of hours: +44 (0)7943 809 162 press@samaritans.org www.samaritans.org/mediaguidelines
@samaritans #reportingsuicide
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Meet Mac Mac from our Luton branch has volunteered with Samaritans for nearly 26 years. He tells us about what has changed in the charity over the last quarter of a century…
"....you make a difference just by
listening."
I first joined Samaritans in 1988, to simply ‘give something back’, as is common for most volunteers. I’ve held many positions at the branch over the years, including Leader, Chairman of the Committee and Editor of a 500-odd page volume of telephone helplines. One of the best feelings about being a volunteer is the telephone calls which make you feel very glad that you were there – where you make a difference just by listening, calming down someone who is upset, or just giving them the time and space to talk and generally just ‘be’. It’s always nice to hear when someone calls to say ‘thank you’ because we have helped either them or someone they know. I think what’s kept me volunteering at Samaritans is knowing that I, along with every other volunteer, am helping to improving the lot of our fellow humans, be it in the same street, town, county or country – though of course, we’ll never know exactly who they are. Samaritans is an essential service, and one that I’m privileged to be a part of. I do not see myself 'hanging up the phone' as long as I think I am giving useful service. I support many charities in a small way, most of them promoting the welfare of my fellow humans, but I have long thought that the most useful thing I ever did was to join Samaritans.
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THE LATEST SUICIDE STATS The Office for National Statistics (ONS) suicide figures for 2012 were released in February.
Leading causes of death between ages 20-34 years 1st Suicide 13%
1st Suicide 26%
2nd* 7% 3rd** 6%
3,458 deaths
1,690 deaths
2nd* 12% 3rd** 10%
Other causes
Other causes England and Wales
Men aged 40-44 are at
higher risk of suicide
(a rate of 25.9 per 100,000
in the UK).
In partnership with Network Rail, we’ve launched our We're in Your Corner campaign aimed at reaching out to middle-aged men.
Search for 'facts and figures' on www.samaritans.org for more information. *2nd accidental poisoning. **3rd land transport accidents.
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GABRIELLE’S STORY Gabrielle
Gabrielle Minkley, 33, is running the Virgin London Marathon for Samaritans, in memory of her husband Oliver who took his own life almost four years ago. She has a son, Ivor, who is three years old. “My husband and I met in Portsmouth, where I grew up and Oliver was studying at the University. We shortly moved to Brighton, where we spent most of our 11 years together. We’d been married for 18 months when he died.
“I have so many fond memories of Oliver, but our wedding day is probably the best one. I was proud to finally become his wife after nine years together, and we had a wonderful day with everyone we loved. We did one of the best first dances ever – Oliver and I loved dancing together!
“Oliver was a wonderfully funny, creative, and sensitive soul. People described him as a ‘one off’ ‘eccentric’ and ‘one of the last remaining gentlemen.’ For me, he was my best friend and the greatest person I knew – a very loving, kind, and fun partner in crime.
“Looking back, the two years following Oliver’s death were just a sea of black. Getting through each day was all I could do, surviving, and wondering when, or if, it would end. I, myself, turned to Samaritans on one occasion, and found them very caring and supportive.
“Oliver had mild depression for as long as I had known him. He lost his own mother to suicide in 1999, after herself suffering for years with depression. The trauma of this had a lasting effect on Oliver. “During the last 18 months of his life, Oliver had periods of severe depression, the last two months were particularly tough for him. On a couple of occasions Oliver turned to Samaritans for support, and they gave him a listening ear and safe place when things were really difficult. I think that perhaps Samaritans helped to give me just a little bit longer with Oliver. Sadly, in May 2010, he finally lost his battle with depression and he took his own life. At the time I was three months pregnant with our son, Ivor. SAMARITANS NEWSLETTER
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“Six months after Oliver’s death, our son, Ivor, was born. Becoming a parent for the first time during such a difficult period, and without Oliver by my side, was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, but it also gave me a reason to keep going. Having said that, Ivor was the best gift that Oliver ever gave me, and he was something positive to focus on. I lost one love, but gained a wonderful new one, who has continued to bring such joy to my life. “My family and friends were incredible. The love and strength they showed me carried me through, and I will never forget it and will be eternally grateful to those special people in my life. 8
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“I’m pleased to say that life feels good again. When you have suffered such loss and experienced such pain, when it lifts, you see the world in a very different way. You don’t take the small things for granted – I want to go on and live life to the full!
Gabrielle and her son, Ivor.
‘I’m pleased to say that life feels good again’
“Oliver and I used to run together, and tried to get into the Marathon a few times but never got a place. It had always been a lifetime ambition to run it, and so I decided to do it now for both of us! Last year, when life started to feel good again and I wanted to get out into the world, I decided I would have a year of saying ‘YES’ to things…that’s when I decided it was time to say ‘YES’ to the marathon! I knew I could complete the Marathon – anything seems possible after everything that has happened “I’m feeling excited and apprehensive about the Marathon. I know it’s going to be a very emotional experience – I always cry watching the Marathon, let alone running it myself! I’m really excited about seeing all the crowds and having my family and friends come and support me on the day. And of course I’m looking forward to crossing the finish line and knowing that all that hard work has paid off! Knowing that every penny raised will allow Samaritans to help other people like Oliver will definitely keep me going. Knowing I’ve finally fulfilled mine and Oliver’s dream of running the marathon, will be the best feeling of all.”
Help Gabrielle reach her fundraising goal by sponsoring her:
uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GabrielleMinkley
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GET
ON YOUR BIKE FOR
Nightrider™ 2014
This year we’ve held more events than ever before, and cycling seems to be one of our most popular challenges. Cycling is a great way to keep fit, make new friends and see exciting places; all whilst raising vital funds for Samaritans. Take a look at the rides we still have places for and get in touch if you want to take part! SAMARITANS NEWSLETTER
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When: Saturday 7 June/Sunday 8 June 2014 Location: London Distance: 100km Minimum Sponsorship: £175 (+ £39 registration fee) Nightrider™ is an exciting way to raise funds for us whilst exploring London by bicycle at night.
L'Etape du Tour
When: Sunday 20 July 2014 Location: Pau – Hautacam, France Distance: 145km Minimum Sponsorship: £2,000 A stage of the Tour De France opens to the general public. We have a number of places for this exclusive event.
Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100
When: Sunday 10 August 2014 Location: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London Distance: 100 miles Minimum Sponsorship: £700 Join 20,000 cyclists taking part in this truly inspiring event and follow in the tracks of Bradley Wiggins, as you travel 100 miles in and around the capital. 11
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Pass on something precious to someone you will never know
Remember Samaritans in your Will Why do we make a Will? Because we care about the friends and loved ones we leave behind. But there is one special group of people who also care about the lives of complete strangers. And these people remember Samaritans in their Will. Will you join them? Gifts in Wills play a huge part in helping us carry out our life-saving work. By thinking of Samaritans now,
you can help make sure that we are there for the people who will call us in the years to come. People who just can’t see a way forward. You will never meet them. But one day they will remember your kindness. Because you passed on something truly precious. Strength. Courage. A lifeline for the future. Request your free Gifts in Wills brochure
Call 08709 00 00 32 Visit www.samaritans.org/lifeline Quoting ref: M0414N
Charity registered in England and Wales No. 219432 and in Scotland No. SCO40604.
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