You help us be there round the clock
Your Autumn 2016 newsletter P3
A life on the line
P8
My volunte er story
Contents
6 r 201 Octobe
A life on the line 3 Just the ticket
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Shush & listen 7 Volunteering with Kim 8 by my side A birth should be a time for celebration
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Making it easier to face the future
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Jennifer faces the future
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Have you entered our Christmas raffle?
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If you’d like to share your story to encourage others to talk and help increase awareness of Samaritans work, or you’d like to give us some feedback on our Autumn Newsletter please get in touch.
03709 00 00 32
supportercare@samaritans.org
ket p6
Just the tic
Show you care Have patience Use open questions Say it back Have courage Shush & lis ten p7
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s place UK. If you’re ans ha it r a ss the m Sa ts acro a challenge – n e v e g sportin o set yourself – and join keen t or ambitious se visit a t modes maritans ple nts a S ve e m / #Tea ans.org samarit t in touch e or to g maritans.org sa @ s event
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A birth should be a time of celebration
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24/7 We're here round the clock
A life
on the line F
or those of us who regularly commute to work or travel on the railways, it’s almost inevitable that at some point our journey will be impacted by a suicide on the line. The instinctive response can be one of frustration, but then the reality of such a tragic event may sink in and the question: what leads someone to take their life in this way? There isn’t a simple or single answer, but through the partnership between Samaritans, Network Rail and the wider rail industry we’re taking action to prevent such a loss of life and the lasting impact it can have on witnesses, bystanders and staff as well as families and friends. Northern Rail Samaritans
Samaritans at Redcar Central Station
The perfect partnership We teamed up with Network Rail in 2010 to reduce the number of suicides on the railways, covering the rail network in England, Scotland and Wales. The partnership has now evolved into a wider industry programme with support from Train Operators, British Transport Police, ATOC* and Trade Unions. This extensive relationship gives us a truly joined up approach across the network, and means Samaritans can reach out to hundreds of thousands of rail travellers and staff every day. Our partnership focuses on three approaches where our combined expertise can make the biggest difference:
Prevention Post incident support (postvention) Education, training and support
Both prevention and postvention activities are supported by a comprehensive and ongoing staff training programme. Staff learn how to identify individuals at risk of suicide, build the confidence to approach them and to give them the space to talk about what’s on their mind. Staff also receive training on handling trauma and have personal access to support from specially trained Samaritans volunteers. 4
“Since 2010 we have trained over 11,500 rail industry staff and in the last year the number of life-saving interventions carried out across the network has increased by over 30%.�
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Promoting Samaritans 116 123 across the network Through posters and other promotions, we raise awareness of our listening volunteers and 116 123 free number across the entire network. So the next time you travel by rail you may spot one of our listening posters on train platforms or in waiting rooms. Our aim is to encourage people to talk before a crisis reaches breaking point. *Association of Train Operating Companies
Together, we’re saving lives In the last year we have seen a decrease in the number of suspected suicides on the rail network. The training helped me remain calm and gave me confidence, as I felt as though I knew what I had to do. I hope that I will never be in a similar situation again, but if I do, I will be thankful that the Samaritans have enabled me to manage it with confidence.
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Network Rail staff member who made a potentially life-saving intervention.
No ordinary working day A
fter a busy shift over the festive period, Matt Lenton spotted a man who was about to take his own life. Matt guided him to a safe location before encouraging him to talk through the issues that were on his mind that day.
The man later wrote to Southern Railway and thanked Matt for his actions. after Christmas, I found myself “inJust a tough place. I was only there for 10-15 minutes standing at the station, when I was approached by a guy. He asked me if I was alright. The fact that someone had noticed me and the state I was in, made me burst into tears. I opened up, as he sat and listened to everything I had to say. I explained that I felt it was easier to end it all. Before we knew it, hours had passed and I found myself feeling much better about myself and my situation. If it wasn’t for the kind, considerate nature of this guy I may well not be here today. He changed my outlook on life. My daughter is expecting her first child and I’m going to be a granddad. Something I could have missed out on.
”
Samaritans ticket barrier adverts
It would have been so easy to have left after his shift, but Matt stayed and received a Samaritans Lifesaver award for his actions. Autumn 2016
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Just the ticket N
ot everyone has the insights and qualities to be a Samaritans ambassador. But we’re pleased to announce Audley Harrison MBE has taken on this role and is committed to helping us to realise our vision of reducing suicides. Audley’s career as a British boxer has made him a household name. But success didn’t happen overnight. He came from humble roots and persevered in the face of hardship and failure, and has also been touched by suicide. His achievements are testimony to great tenacity and his mantra ‘Never Ever Give Up’ – the title of his recently released charity single.
“It’s a strength, not a weakness, to reach out for help.”
Since retiring from boxing, Audley has supported a number of charities and been inspiring young people to channel their energies into sport and other positive pastimes – helping to prevent boredom and reducing the risk of them slipping into dysfunctional activities. Since teaming up with Audley, he’s fronted our ‘Samaritans and Network Rail We Listen’ campaign and is helping to bring Samaritans and the importance of listening, to the attention of thousands of commuters every day. Critically, voices like Audley’s help to tackle the stigma around talking openly. Next time you travel, take a look at the reverse of your ticket. And watch out for Audley’s future ambassadorial work with us. 6
Audley Harrisons single ‘Never Ever Give Up’ is out now to buy with all proceeds going to Samaritans.
24/7 We're here round the clock
Shush & listen
W
e’ve all heard the cliché a problem shared is a problem halved.
Of course we can’t take this literally but by giving someone the space to talk about what’s on their mind and actively listening, you could make a genuine difference to their emotional wellbeing. That’s why Samaritans is encouraging people to listen to the things their family, friends or colleagues are telling them. It doesn’t cost a penny. When people feel listened to, it can save a life. Giving someone your undivided attention is a non-verbal way of showing them how much you care. It has an amazing effect. I try to remove anything from my line of sight that could distract me and I really focus on learning something new about the person who is talking to keep me engaged.
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Listening volunteer
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Download our S.H.U.S.H. listening tips at samaritans.org/shush
ARE YOU A SHUSH LISTENER? Samaritans has put together a handful of tips to being an effective listener.
1
Show you care Focus on the other person, make eye contact, put away your phone
2
Have patience It may take time and several attempts before a person is ready to open up
3 Use open questions That need more than a yes/no answer, and follow up eg ‘Tell me more’
4 Say it back
To check you’ve understood, but don’t interrupt or offer a solution
5
Have courage Don’t be put off by a negative response and, most importantly, don’t feel you have to fill a silence Autumn 2016
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“ You remember certain calls some of them are just so rewarding.” Become a lunteer listening vo
ore to find out m If you’d like hat aining and w about our tr ning te Samaritans lis becoming a uch eans get in to volunteer m ns.org g@samarita volunteerin 82 (UK) 03705 62 72 Ireland) (Republic of 1 9 0 0 0 2 0 9 18 8
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Volunteering with Kim by my side My volunteer story by David Powell At 14, I just thought I needed glasses to see the new blackboard at school, said Lancaster Samaritans volunteer David Powell.
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During a hospital appointment, I found out I had detached retinas and couldn’t have surgery. Over the years my sight has deteriorated but I can see daylight and shapes. I am now registered blind.
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It was hard as a teenager, when I had to go away to a special boarding school. But I think that did me good in the end, because I learned to be more self-reliant. I’ve been volunteering for Lancaster Samaritans for two years. It was a chat with a former volunteer that set me on the path to Samaritans. I’d already worked in customer services for Age UK using my listening skills, so he thought I would be good at it.
they support individuals facing many different issues. During my training I took part in role plays involving situations that could arise during calls, as well as learning about the support you need when you’re actually dealing with calls, emails, texts and face to face contact with people. Lancaster Samaritans has a really good system, after every shift you call the day leader, and discuss your calls. The aim is for you to leave everything behind when you go home. My wife always says she couldn’t do that! You remember certain calls – some of them are just so rewarding. You can tell you’ve really helped someone, by how they are towards the end of a call compared to when they first began talking. Some of the calls can send shivers down your spine.
I’ve found that if one of your senses is faulty, another can become more acute. I use my listening skills more than other people because I can’t see.
I couldn’t be a volunteer without my guide dog Kim. She helps me get to the Samaritans branch office and is probably the most popular volunteer there!
The training was excellent. Before I started, I thought Samaritans only talked to people who are suicidal, but I soon discovered
Without the support and encouragement from fellow volunteers, the role would be so much harder.
”
Autumn 2016
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A birth should be a time for celebration...
I
t’s a double tragedy that suicide is the second most common cause of death in new mothers. What should be a time of happiness and expectations for the future can instead be emotionally overwhelming, and lead to depression amongst other symptoms. Although the physical health of the mother and baby are obvious priorities when monitoring a pregnancy and a birth, this shouldn’t be at the expense of neglecting associated changes in mental health. It’s been estimated that around 1 in 10 women will experience mental illness during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth.** Yet almost half of women in the UK have no access to specialist perinatal mental health care. Maternal deaths, due to complications from the pregnancy itself such as bleeding or pre-eclampsia, continue to decrease. However, maternal deaths from pre-existing conditions including mental health problems remain a major challenge.* This is why Samaritans is calling for sustained investment and action to reduce the number of mothers-to-be, and new mothers, who die by suicide. Sources: * MBRRACE-UK ** WHO
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Photo: © ababaka/bigstock.com
Research reveals that 101 pregnant women or new mothers took their own life between 2009 and 2013.*
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If things are getting to you
116 123
FREE
This number is FREE to call
Suicide in new mothers: the figures In the UK and Ireland, during 2009–2013, almost a quarter of women who died between six weeks and one year after pregnancy died from mental-health related causes
If the women who died by suicide became ill today: 40% would not be able to get any specialist perinatal mental health care
1 in 7 women died by suicide
Only 25% would get the highest standard of care With thanks to MBRRACE-UK for supply of infographics
Autumn 2016
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Making it easier to face the future W
The relationship brings together relevant expertise to help meet the need for better specialist support for people bereaved by suicide, and make a real difference to those experiencing loss.
Our first group In 2011, a pilot group was initially set up by Cruse’s Kensington and Chelsea and Samaritans Central London branches. It involved closed support groups that lasted 90 minutes and were facilitated by a specially trained volunteer from each charity. The groups ran for six weeks and Samaritans supported a maximum of eight participants. During the first 18 months, 12
Photos © Monkey Business/stock.adobe.com
e’re pleased to update you on our Facing the Future Support Groups that we run in partnership with Cruse Bereavement Care.
24/7 We're here round the clock
participants were offered a six month follow up to monitor their wellbeing. In June 2014, we were awarded a three year grant from the Department of Health’s Innovation and Excellence Strategic Development (IESD) fund, in England, to extend the successful London pilot to six areas across the country and reach more people who are struggling to cope.
Where we are now? Since the launch in August 2015, we’ve trained 45 Samaritans and Cruse volunteers to run Facing the Future sessions. Each group continues to run as per the parameters of the pilot above, but we’re expanding the number of locations we offer support and minimising the distance participants need to travel. It’s important to Samaritans that we can be where people need us the most, no matter who they are, however they feel or whatever their situation. In areas that are waiting for groups to be established, we encourage individuals who need support to speak to one of our volunteers on 116 123 or call Cruse on 0808 808 1677 in the meantime. We’ve also launched a website www.facingthefuture.org that details all forthcoming groups inclusive of dates and location. Everyone who expresses an interest in joining a group receives a call from a trained advisor, to check that the group is right for them before confirming their place.
How to join a group? If you feel that this service could help you then please do get in touch. l All group participants must be self-referrals. l We can accept individuals who have been bereaved for more than three months. l Visit www.facingthefuture.org to find out about future groups. You can register an interest online via www.facingthefuture.org or email info@facingthefuturegroups. org or call 0208 939 9560* *We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Facing the future
support for people bereaved by suicide
Autumn 2016
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Jennifer faces the future
Jennifer with
her brother
Stephen
At 33, Jennifer is a freelance journalist from Stoke Newington, London. Her passion for football grew from watching the beautiful game with her two brothers in their younger years. It’s been 12 years since Jennifer’s brother Stephen took his own life, at just 25 years of age. Jennifer shares her memories and experience of losing someone to suicide. Stephen was a gentle soul and a talented artist and sportsman. But his life was marred by low self-esteem and depression. The tragic thing is, he would have had little idea how much he meant to many people.
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It’s hard to say how we coped following Stephen’s death – I just got on with life. I didn’t really deal with it until a good few years later. Now I think the greatest tribute I can pay my brother is to achieve the happiness that I suppose he couldn’t find. Sometimes it’s the people we know who are the hardest to open up to, that’s why Samaritans’ work is so vital. In the dark times that followed Stephen’s death, I felt uncomfortable talking to family and friends. Samaritans provide a space for people to talk and discover a way to face the future. 14
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“I think the greatest tribute I can pay my brother is to achieve the happiness that I suppose he couldn’t find.”
24/7 We're here round the clock
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE 2016 Have yourself a merry little Christmas… It might seem a bit early to be thinking about tinsel and carols, but our Christmas Raffle is well under way and could make you up to £5,000 richer in time for Christmas day! You may have received your raffle pack in the post, so don’t forget to take part by 5 December. All proceeds help support our vital work and could make your Christmas extra special this year! If you would like more tickets, please contact: 0345 601 6936
tickets@woodsgroup.co.uk
Closing date 5 December 2016 Draw date 12 December 2016
£1
per ticket
Autumn 2016
15
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