Tag: Samaritans

Samaritans celebrates 100 Breathing Space Benches in Scotland

Stuart Mitchell

100 Breathing Space Benches have been installed across Scotland in partnership with NHS24, Network Rail, and Scotland’s Railway. The 100th Breathing Space Bench was unveiled in Stirling on the 3rd February 2026, marking a major milestone for the Breathing Space Initiative that Samaritans Scotland is proud to be part of alongside NHS24, Network Rail, and Scotland’s Railway. The first ever bench was installed in Troon in 2018 – the beginning of not only encouraging awareness raising and discussion around our mental health as a nation but also providing a physical…

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Gail Porter unveils 3D London billboard for Samaritans as charity launches new winter campaign

Stuart Mitchell

Samaritans ambassador Gail Porter is urging the public to help the charity bring someone’s future back this winter as she puts the finishing touches to an innovative new 3d billboard in London. The Scottish TV personality has attached a pair of trainers to the new billboard – an object chosen by Samaritans caller Layla McBain as an object that represents a hopeful future after overcoming struggles with poor mental health. Gail said: “Winter can be a dark time in more ways than one so it’s vital that people know there is…

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Samaritans unveils plan to future proof the life-saving charity and answer more calls from those in crisis

Stuart Mitchell

Samaritans announces three areas of change that will shape the suicide prevention charity’s future and ensure it is here for more people. Samaritans volunteers last year responded to more than 3.3 million calls. With more people experiencing suicidal thoughts and attempts in their lifetime*, the need for Samaritans’ life-saving service is sadly both urgent and long term. Despite volunteers answering a call for help every 10 seconds, there are times of the day when people in crisis can’t get through. The charity that prevents suicide through the power of human…

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Samaritans demands more support for emergency workers amidst shocking rise in suicide and self-harm call outs

Stuart Mitchell

Samaritans reveals troubling new data showing an annual rise of 32,143 in Ambulance Service suicide and self-harm call outs across England. The charity’s Freedom of Information request received responses from eight out of the 11  NHS Ambulance Services in England, all of which responded to more suicide and self-harm incidents in 2024 than in 2023, with one region handling almost double the number than the previous year. The latest figures paint an even more concerning picture of the rising pressure on emergency services. Earlier this year, a Parliamentary Question revealed…

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Premier League and Samaritans launches ‘Together Against Suicide’ initiative to support fans

Stuart Mitchell

The Premier League and Samaritans have launched ‘Together Against Suicide’, a new initiative to support football fans affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts, helping raise awareness of the information and expertise available to those who need it most. The initiative launches on World Suicide Prevention Day and has been developed by the Premier League and Samaritans in collaboration with broadcaster Roman Kemp and Tottenham Hotspur CEO Vinai Venkatesham. ‘Together Against Suicide’ is backed by all 20 Premier League clubs, with the League is funding 11 clubs to provide bespoke support…

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