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New Survey By PG Tips In Support Of Samaritans Brew Monday Looks At Impact Of Loneliness "Loneliness, is a cloak you wear. A deep shade of blue is always there.... The tears are always clouding your eyes. When you're without love" - Walker Brothers
Perhaps the above lyrics from the Walker Brothers hit of 1969, The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore, was for many merely a song about loneliness and heartbreak, but for many others it could be related to as a reflection of the way they saw their own lives. The deeper the shade of blue, the closer to feelings of loneliness and perhaps even ending it all. But we have come along way since 1969 when suicide was little understood and seemed to be a subject only of TV dramas, and something seldom talked about and seldom understood. However, the theme of mental health problem prevention and indeed of suicide prevention is one and the same - talking with someone. From wearing a 'cloak of loneliness' to having a 'Blue Monday' as expressions of a mood and mental outlook to sitting down with a cuppa to talk to a freind, colleague or family member about your worries, your mood, and your fears; is a huge step. It is the idea that a cuppa and a chat can do a lot to stem the feelings of loneliness, that is being promoted by the Samaritans new campaign called "Brew Monday" and supported by PG Tips who have Commissioned a study which sheds new light on the far-reaching impact of loneliness, its causes, and how people can overcome it. Whilst 25-34-year olds reported the highest levels of loneliness - with 82% of respondents saying they had felt lonely in the past year - the study has shown the issue affects people of all ages, in all areas of the UK.
Major life changes such as becoming a new parent, bereavement or moving to a new area were all identified as key factors attributing to people’s loneliness. The Samaritans ’Brew Monday’ campaign hopes to spark conversations between family, friends and colleagues by handing out thousands of tea bags. The charity wants to turn the third Monday of the year – known by some as ‘Blue Monday’ – into a positive day. The Government, Network Rail and Train Operators are supporting the Charity’s campaign and urging train commuters to look out for their fellow passengers in a bid to reduce the number of suicides on the rail network. Taking time to listen to another person could help them through a tough time and having a brew together is a great excuse to do just that. People can use their get-together to raise money for Samaritans, so someone having a tough time has somewhere to turn. Brew Monday has the backing of British stars including Dame Julie Walters, former Bake Off contestant Michael Chakraverty and comedian Rachel Parris. Fiachra Moloney, Director of Tea at Unilever UK said: The charity and Government ministers are promoting the message that passengers too can help by just offering a friendly conversation, an opportunity to chat, which might be all the difference between suicide and being saved. This is first in a series of activities PG tips are supporting in 2020 via partnerships with Samaritans, Time to Change and The Big Lunch. The brand has also launched a national advertising campaign to encourage the nation to get together over a cup of tea which can be viewed at www.youtube.com/pgtipsofficial |