Norfolk mental health worker says being open about emotions will save lives
Samaritans has found that around 20% of us have been affected by suicidal thoughts
A mental health worker in Norfolk says being accepting and open to everyone's positive and negative emotions will help to save lives.
It follows work from the charity Samaritans that shows around 20% of us living in the UK have been affected by suicidal thoughts.
That's one in five of us.
"Not being afraid of big emotions is really important"
Ruth Noble works near Diss:
"If we can create an atmosphere in this country where we are accepting and open to all our experiences as human beings - then nobody has to keep on shoving these emotions down until they feel like they can't take any other action.
"Not being afraid of big emotions is really important. It's something that we can all do as well. If we see somebody looking a bit down instead of trying to cheer them up, ask them how they are and if they want to talk about it.
"By telling somebody to cheer up you're basically saying to them 'your emotions are unacceptable.
"You are not on your own"
"We are all capable of having really dark thoughts. What makes the difference is how far we feel pushed to take action, along with how isolated we are and the less we talk about how difficult we're finding things.
"I would urge anyone who feels like this to find somebody to share it with. Even if you feel like there's nobody for you to speak to, personally, in this world of technology there are so many ways to reach out.
"You are not on your own. There are ways to move forwards from this point, even though it might feel like there's no other option, change is inevitable."
What else does this work show?
A new nationwide poll from Samaritans has revealed that nearly three-quarters (71%) of UK adults are unaware just how many people experience suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives.
Samaritans’ new research shows that suicidal thoughts are also the topic that people felt the least comfortable talking about in comparison to other 'taboo’ subjects including sex, religion, and politics.
While 74% of people are comfortable talking with family and friends about mental health and wellbeing,
only 45% are comfortable talking about suicidal thoughts, suggesting a stigma still exists around this specifically and discomfort in discussing it could be contributing to a lack of awareness and understanding of the issue.
If you're struggling or know somebody who is:
-Samaritans:
Call 116 123
Text SHOUT to 85258
-SANEline:
Call 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10pm every day)
-National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK:
Call on 0800 689 5652 (6pm to midnight every day).
-Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM):
Call on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day)
-Shout.
Text on 85258.