Samaritans of Yeovil, Sherborne & District is calling for everyone to work together in partnership in anticipation of World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September 2018.
Sarah Coote, Yeovil Samaritans Director talks to The Conduit about how we can all play our part in Suicide Prevention.
Samaritans of Yeovil, Sherborne & District is calling for everyone to work together in partnership in anticipation of World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September 2018. Sarah Coote, Yeovil Samaritans Director talks to The Conduit about how we can all play our part in Suicide Prevention.
According to the International Association for Suicide Prevention, the issue of preventing suicide remains a universal challenge. Every year, suicide is among the top 20 leading causes of death globally for people of all ages. It is responsible for over 800,000 deaths, which equates to one suicide every 40 seconds.
Sarah Coote, Samaritans Branch Director said:
“Preventing suicide can be possible and you could be a key player in its prevention. We all have a role to play and together we can help to address the challenges presented by suicidal behaviour in society today. We want to encourage everyone in our region to really take the time to listen to the important things their friends, family and colleagues need to tell them, and to actually devote some time and attention to being better listeners. When people feel listened to, it really can save a life.”
Become a better listener by employing the Samaritans SHUSH listening tips;
- Show you care – focus on the other person, make eye contact and put away your phone!
- Have Patience – it may take a while before someone opens up
- Use open-ended questions to encourage conversation such as ‘tell me more…..’
- Say it back – to check you’ve understood but don’t judge, interrupt or offer a solution
- Have courage – don’t be put off by a negative response and, most importantly, don’t feel you have to fill in the silences.
To download the full list of tips, visit, https://www.samaritans.org/media-centre/big-listen/shush-listening-tips
Samaritans volunteers in Yeovil & Sherborne provide services at the heart of their communities and this includes partnership working with the NHS, the police, schools and other public, private and voluntary sector organisations to make suicide prevention more effective in this area.
Could you volunteer with the Samaritans? Why not join us at our information evenings which take place on the first Wednesday of every month at 7pm at 25 The Park, Yeovil, BA20 1DG To find out more, call our information line on 01935 414015, email [email protected] or apply through our webpage.