Become a 'Christmas Star' and Support Those Struggling

Christmas may be a time for festive cheer and spending time with loved ones, but figures from Samaritans reveal caller concerns about family have risen for the fifth year in a row.

We can't ignore the fact that mental health is a struggle for many at this time of year - which is why Samaritans is launching its campaign to ensure listening volunteers at the charity are on-hand to respond to the calls expected during the festive season.

The listening volunteers are a lifeline for some people - one previous Christmas caller credits Samaritans with saving her life. Stephanie, 33 from Kent, phoned Samaritans regularly just after Christmas 2015 when she was really struggling.

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“Christmas always felt like a particularly difficult time. One year on Christmas Eve, it all got too much and I tried to take my life," she says. "I woke up the next day feeling very unwell, but I got dressed and went to visit my family for Christmas. I became good at putting on a front.”

Stephanie, a celebrity manicurist to the stars, who works with Little Mix, Leona Lewis and Disney, continued: “I didn’t know who to speak to, so one night I called Samaritans and let everything out. I remember feeling embarrassed and it took me a long time to get everything out.

"I am so thankful to that volunteer. He saved my life that night. I realised I didn’t want to die. I just didn’t want to hurt anymore.”

Stephanie is now calling on the public to ‘Be A Samaritans Christmas Star’ this season by making a donation or helping Samaritans volunteers be there for others like her by fundraising for the charity.

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Supporting Samaritans will help bring light to someone on their darkest day, ensuring trained volunteers are there to respond to calls at a time of year when Samaritans is a lifeline to those who are struggling to cope. By making a donation for as little as £5, it will help Samaritans keep their helpline running 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

To help Samaritans listening volunteers be there for people in their darkest times, please visit samaritans.org/donate-christmas.