A region of listeners but no one wants to talk

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While most of us like to think we’re good listeners, we keep quiet about our own problems, statistics released by the Samaritans show.

Two-thirds (66%) of people in the North West believe they are good listeners, but only a quarter (24%) feel they can talk when something is on their mind.

The figures come as the Samaritans launches its ‘We Listen’ campaign. Supported by Network Rail and the wider rail industry, the message is that while it’s easy to hide your feelings, when someone really listens, which is what Samaritans volunteers do, you’re more likely to open up and start working through your problems.

Posters in railway stations across the North West contain hidden messages where people claiming to be fine reveal that they’re not OK at all. One says ‘I’m alright with being single I guess. It’s not ideal for the kids, but they seem to be coping’, the real message being, ‘I’m not coping’.

Another says ‘I’m going to be alright. It’s not so bad spending a lot of time alone,’ where the reality is ‘I’m so alone’.

The message from the Samaritans is: "We don’t just hear you, we listen’, reassuring callers that dedicated listeners are interested in the real problems they are grappling with."

The Samaritans CEO Ruth Sutherland says: “Life’s pressures can build, without you even realising. It’s all too easy to turn away, ignore how you’re feeling, and put on a brave face.

"You don’t have to do that with Samaritans. Samaritans volunteers make time for you and really listen to you, because simply being listened to can help you put into words what’s really going on in your life and help you find a way through.

“It might be the pressures of family, relationships, work, health, finances – or anything else. Life can be tough, and it’s a strength not a weakness to reach out for support. Talk to Samaritans for free from any phone, email us, text us or come into a branch and chat face to face. Whatever works best for you, we’ll listen and help you find a way through.”

You can call Samaritans for free any time from any phone on 116 123 (you don’t even need credit and this number won’t show up on your phone bill), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find details of your nearest branch.