VOLUNTEERS are taking an important message to railway stations to let passengers know they are listening – and to take time to listen to fellow travellers.

Supporters of the Weymouth-based suicide prevention charity Samaritans of Dorset are encouraging people in distress to seek help early – while also helping others to improve their listening skills.

The charity is running an awareness campaign, Talk to Us in July.

Volunteers will be handing out leaflets at stations in Weymouth and Dorchester as part of the campaign.

As previously reported, Samaritans has been working with Network Rail and the British Transport Police to reduce deaths on the railways.
More than 200 lives have been saved across the south west rail network since April last year thanks to training courses for staff.

Now Samaritans is turning its attention to passengers.

Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 and those from deprived communities are particularly vulnerable.

Samaritans believes that listening is crucial to helping people find their way through their problems, and the charity would like to encourage people to seek help early, rather than when they reach a crisis.

Samaritans volunteers will be handing out SHUSH listening tips and highlighting the support they provide for the community, which centres on good listening skills.

Good listening is hard but Samaritans believes it essential in bringing down the number of suicides.
SHUSH stands for:

  • Show you care: focus just on the other person, make eye contact, put away your phone
  • Have patience: it may take time and several attempts before a person is ready to open up
  • Use open questions: that need more than a yes/no answer, & follow up e.g. ‘Tell me more’
  • Say it back: to check you’ve understood, but don’t interrupt or offer a solution
  • Have courage: don’t be put off by a negative response and, most importantly, don’t be afraid to leave silence

Director of the Samaritans of Dorset branch Kate said: “Suicide is everybody’s business and we can all do our bit to encourage people to be better listeners and reach out for help if they need to.

"We’re a culture of people who love to give advice, love to give opinions and love the sound of our own voices. But this year we’re asking people all over the country to SHUSH! and take time out to listen to others. Sixty years of Samaritans’ expertise has taught us that just listening is the greatest gift you can give to somebody, and that it can save lives."

Whatever you’re going through, call Samaritans free any time from any phone on 116 123 (this number is free to call and will not appear on your phone bill), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit Samaritans of Dorset in King Street, Weymouth.