BARROW, Furness and South Lakes Samaritans has launched the ‘Talk To Us’ campaign to raise awareness of its round-the-clock emotional support services and to encourage people to get in touch if they need support.

The south Cumbria Samaritans branch says it has continued to provide emotional support throughout the pandemic, as Coronavirus (Covid-19) has taken a considerable psychological toll on residents.

In June, Nuffield Health reported that around 80 per cent of British people working from home felt the Covid-19 lockdown had had a negative impact on their mental health, with a quarter saying they were struggling to cope with the emotional challenges of isolation.

Since the lockdown period began in March, Samaritans volunteers suggest that one in three callers discuss Coronavirus with many people reportedly feeling more anxious and distressed than before the pandemic. Samaritans also says its volunteers nationwide have provided emotional support more than half a million times during this time.

Volunteer surveys conducted on behalf of the charity - with over 3,000 responses - have also found that the most common concerns related to Covid are around loneliness, isolation, mental health and illness, as well as family, finances and unemployment.

Commenting on the launch of the charity's new campaign in south Cumbria, the branch director at Barrow, Furness and South Lakes Samaritans, Catherine Bland said: “Our volunteers have been working day and night to be there for anyone who is struggling in these uncertain and challenging times.

"Lockdown restrictions have had a huge impact on everyday life for many people, as we’ve been hearing over the past few months, and our volunteers have been a much-needed source of support for those whose networks haven’t been available during the pandemic.

“Our outreach work and fundraising activity remains on hold across the country until further notice, but we hope that the public can continue to support us in any way they can, to ensure that our volunteers can continue to be there for anyone struggling to cope.”

Samaritans is also marking 24/7 across the UK and Ireland as one of the most important day in the organisation’s charity’s calendar which it uses to help spread the message that volunteers are available to listen to anyone who is struggling – day or night, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Anyone can contact Samaritans for free any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit, or you can email jo@samaritans.org.

For more information on how to get involved visit www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/talk-us/ or join in the conversation on social media using #TalkToUs.