A West Midlands suicide charity says calls to its helpline tripled in the two months to December.
In the run-up to this year’s festivities, the SOS Silence suicide call center received 16,500 calls, compared to 5,600 calls during the same period of October and November last year.
The charity provides a safe and confidential space for people suffering from poor emotional health and suicidal thoughts. This Christmas they released a announcement And charity bachelor encourage people to reach out if they are struggling.
CEO Yvette Greenway-Mansfield told GB News that money was a big factor in the increase in calls.
A West Midlands suicide charity says calls to its helpline tripled in the two months to December.
GB News
She said: “What we find at present are financial problems coming plot. This isn’t really surprising.
“These days, unfortunately, there are a lot of people who are really struggling financially in general, but then you have to add Christmas to that.
“People who can’t give because they just can’t afford to, they already feel disillusioned and depressed, but we’re all supposed to smile and act like everything is okay and There was no problem.”
Their charity song, Find Your Light, was written by Lorna Hackett and performed by Bournemouth’s Resonate! Choir and singers Marsha Webbe and Ava Mason-Allen.
Lorna is a trustee of the charity and described to GB News the process of creating the song.
She said: “What I wanted to do was capture some of the essence of the festive period, while recognizing that for many people, not everyone has a good time.
“So it was about trying to show those people who might be struggling at this time of year, for one reason or another, that there is also reason to hope.” »
The charity hopes the advert can raise money to train volunteer call handlers and more mobile wellbeing centers which they can bring into communities to offer mental health support.
Peter Goddard lost his daughter to suicide in 2019 and, as director of the Valor Foundation, supports the organization.
He told GB News: “What you might be suffering from is not something you necessarily have to go through on your own, and you shouldn’t be afraid to come forward and admit to an illness that you don’t know about. really have no control.
“The more you suffer in silence, the more you are likely to suffer. »
If you are struggling with your mental health this Christmas you can call SOS Silence of Suicide on 0808 115 1505.
If you would like to make a donation to support the association, Click here.