New Breathing Space benches have been unveiled at railway stations across Scotland throughout Mental Health Awareness Week.
Samaritans Scotland partnered up with Network Rail, NHS 24’s Breathing Space, and ScotRail to have additional Breathing Space benches installed at Dumfries, Dundee, Uddingston, and Fort William.
The Breathing Space Bench initiative is designed to promote mental health and wellbeing, offering a space for people to take time out to sit down, reflect, have a chat with someone, or simply just take a quiet moment for themselves.
The new benches were unveiled during Mental Health Awareness Week, following the success of the first phase of Breathing Space Benches already installed across the country, including in Glasgow Central Station and Edinburgh Waverley.
The benches serve also as a permanent and physical sign-posting tool. Fitted with a plaque with information on how to contact Samaritans as well as for NHS24’s Breathing Space service, the benches offer an opportunity to reach out for support should anybody in distress feel they need to talk things through with someone.
Regional Development Lead for the Network Rail Partnership at Samaritans, Arlene Dickson, said:
“It’s great to see more Breathing Space benches being installed across Scotland. The benches aren’t just a place to sit; they are a reminder that it’s okay to take time for yourself to pause and find clarity in what can be a busy and chaotic world.
The benches are an example of how small changes to our public spaces can make a difference, through being aware of our own mental health and how to reach out for support.”
