Our volunteers were at Cheltenham Spa and Kemble stations this Monday to encourage travellers to reach out to a friend and share a cuppa for Brew Monday.
The third Monday in January is often referred to by the media as "Blue Monday". At Samaritans we know that there is no such thing. The idea that one particular day is the most depressing day of the year was made up by marketers to sell holidays. People can feel down on any day of the year, and we are here to listen all year round.
So yesterday our volunteers went to Kemble and Cheltenham Spa train stations to talk to passengers, and to encourage them to reach out to a friend for a cuppa and a chat, We are very grateful to the GWR staff at the train stations for supporting us in this outreach activity, helping us to spread awareness of Brew Monday and the Samaritans service.
Reaching out to someone could help them know that they are valued and someone cares. If you’ve noticed someone has gone quiet in the group chat or you haven’t heard from them in a while, reach out and check in. A simple message can mean a lot to someone who is going through a difficult time.
Just reaching out and asking someone how they are can give them the opportunity to open up about how they’re feeling. Don’t forget to put aside some time to catch up with them properly, maybe over a cuppa.
Once someone starts to share how they’re feeling, it’s important to listen. This could mean not offering advice, not trying to identify what they’re going through with your own experiences and not trying to solve their problems.
For more suggestions about how to be a good listener, take a look at our SHUSH active listening tips and our little tips to help someone open up.