Good Samaritans Celebrate 50 Listening Years

A birthday has been celebrated with news that a key provider of emotional support, the Samaritans, passed its 50th anniversary last week.

The first ever Branch in Ireland opened in Belfast on 1 November 1961 and the founding Branch has been open for business 24-hours a day ever since - except for a few short hours when the Centre suffered damage from a nearby bomb.

In 2010, volunteers in the eight branches in Northern Ireland dealt with 68,482 calls via the 24-hour telephone helpline, supported 156 individuals face-to-face at the North West 200 and replied to 9,526 emails.

Bangor and Belfast branches also offer emotional support via SMS text and every branch offers a drop-in facility where people can receive face - to - face support free of charge.

They also work with partners in other agencies to support the implementation of Protect Life, the Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan, which in part prompted the NI Health Minister Edwin Poots to add his congratulations to the Samaritans on reaching their 50th year.

"Samaritans is best known for the listening ear it provides, 24 hours a day, to anyone anywhere in the UK and Ireland who needs to talk about their problems in total confidence.

"Their role is particularly important when you consider that one in five adults in Northern Ireland will have a mental health condition at any one time and around half of all women and one quarter of men will experience depression at some point in their lives," he said.

"Encouraging people to talk about their problems is the first and most important step in dealing with mental health issues.

"Samaritans blazed a trail in the use of telephone helplines and, as the organisation moves further into the 21st century, it continues to innovate, providing supports through the likes of Facebook and SMS text messaging."

The Minister continued: "We face a difficult challenge to reduce suicide rates across Northern Ireland in the time ahead, particularly in light of the additional threat posed by the current economic downturn.

"It is crucial that we continue to work with organisations such as Samaritans, to help tackle the high levels of suicide and self-harm in our local communities.

" greatly value Samaritans' participation in the Northern Ireland Suicide Strategy Implementation Body and its involvement in the implementation of the Protect Life Suicide Prevention Strategy.

"In designing and delivering my Department's services in this area, we have benefited greatly from the experience and expertise of Samaritans," he said.

Rural Issues

Still on mental health issues, the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Michelle O'Neill has met with representatives from the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health (Niamh).

"My Department is committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of those living in rural communities. Organisations like Niamh can provide a valuable service to the vulnerable living in rural areas and the meeting provided an opportunity to explore how DARD can support actions that address mental health issues in rural areas."

Sinn Fein Minister O'Neill added: "I welcome the study by Niamh investigating the difference regarding suicide and help seeking behaviour between urban and rural areas. This will provide valuable research to help government address the mental health needs of vulnerable people living in rural areas."

(BMcC/GK)