Fears mental health struggles will rise in Cornwall as we head into winter
Cornwall Samaritans says they were getting around 3,000 calls a month at the start of lockdown
Last updated 21st Oct 2020
There is a warning that winter could spark more mental health struggles for people in Cornwall.
Cornwall Samaritans says demand is rising as uncertainty around the coronavirus pandemic continues.
At the start of lockdown, the charity was getting around 3,000 calls a month in the Duchy alone. Now it says numbers are starting to creep up again.
Spokesperson Richard Sutton says worries about health, finances and employment are making things worse for people.
"Over the last six months things have been very busy, and I think they're going to get busier. People have been very concerned about what is going to happen.
"There has been a general increase in stress and anxiety over financial problems, relationships, work. But above all the critical thing is the loneliness and isolation that people are feeling.
"The isolation I think is what has really got to people and will continue to do so."
Richard Sutton, Cornwall Samaritans
It comes as Cornwall Samaritans marks their 50th year.
Back in 1970 Samaritans opened its Cornwall branch at Treyew Road in Truro, and has become one of the busiest branches in the south west.
Over the past year, the centre took over 30,000 contacts by telephone, email or from face-to face visitors.
The branch is staffed by over 100 listening volunteers, and an additional 25 support volunteers who help in running the branch and the charity shop at Par Market.
“I know Samaritans provide such a vital service for so many people, particularly during the last six months, and I have the greatest respect for all our volunteers and what they do.”
Sue Wright, Director at Cornwall Samaritans
Due to the pandemic the branch has been especially busy with many anxious callers. The centre has been able to function during this difficult time, but all Outreach events and many fundraising initiatives, including the Samaritans National Walk and branch birthday celebrations have been cancelled. Every volunteer, however, has been given a medallion of Cornish tin to mark this important milestone.
The medallions are made with genuine shipwrecked Cornish Tin which was then hand enamelled to make it stand out.
Volunteer Penny 191 has been a Samaritan, at the Truro centre, for over 45 years. She said:
“Over this time I have been privileged to pick up the phone. We are let into our callers’ lives when they are troubled and feel that they are unable to share their concerns with anyone else. I have made many wonderful and enduring friendships over the years which I value greatly.”
The comprehensive Samaritan training programme has been online, and one of the latest cohort of volunteers Rachel NS41 said:
“I’ve called Samaritans at the difficult times in my life; when I was homeless as a teenager, when my dad died, when my depression became too much for me to handle and, most importantly, when I'd decided to take my own life a few years ago. I called Samaritans as a real last resort, knowing they'd helped me so much before. I can't remember the name of the volunteer, how long we spoke or what was said, but I didn't take my life that night and I've never been so grateful to someone I'll never meet. I wanted to become 'that person' for as many people as I could, and 2020 seems like the perfect year to start.”
Samaritans can be contacted for free on 116123 or email jo@samaritans.org