Volunteers worked additional shifts over the New Year period at the Lanarkshire branch of Samaritans in anticipation of a spike in calls from people who were struggling to cope.
Willie Kerr, chairman of the local branch, says the pressures of the pandemic on people’s mental health and a sense of bleakness, unease and uncertainty about what changing Covid restrictions will mean for them in 2021 was an overarching theme among New Year callers.
An additional four Samaritans were on duty at the Lanarkshire branch between Hogmanay and midnight on Friday, when the team of volunteers handled 57 calls.
An anticipated surge in calls due to a storyline in TV soap Eastenders did not materialise and the number of calls taken during the New Year period was average for the branch. Now, Willie has issued a reminder that Samaritans are here to listen 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and explained that no-one need struggle alone at a time of year when the impact of loneliness often hits home.
Recent research found that more than a quarter of the charity’s 1400 volunteers across the UK and Ireland have, over the past three months, spoken to people who were feeling concerned about their wellbeing at this time of year.
Willie said: “Every call for help is answered by a trained volunteer and talking to us is free and confidential.
“Samaritans has never been a more vital lifeline.
“If you can make a donation to support our work, you will be helping to ensure that we can be there to listen throughout the year.
“And if you find yourself struggling, please remember that you don’t have to face things alone.
“You can talk to us, day or night, on 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org.”
