New figures released by the Samaritans identify that more than one in ten calls for help (10.9 per cent) from men talked about issues surrounding their sexual orientation. This compares with only one in forty similar calls from women (2.4 per cent) according to the latest snapshot survey of branches
New figures released by the Samaritans identify that more than one in ten calls for help (10.9 per cent) from men talked about issues surrounding their sexual orientation. This compares with only one in forty similar calls from women (2.4 per cent) according to the latest snapshot survey of branches in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
A spokesperson, said:
“We get more than five million calls a year, although many of them are so-called “snap-calls” where there is no actual conversation. It takes a few tries for some people to pluck up the courage to speak.”
The accounts for Brighton and Hove LGBT Switchboard for the year ending March 2012 show they they received 900 calls during the year (average 2.5 calls a day).
For the period ending March 2012 Switchboard received £63,895 in grants, £2,316 in donations, £1,458 from fundraising events and £6,152 from counselling activities to deliver their service which according to the accounts also included 213 counselling hours.
Maria Antoniou, interim chair at Switchboard, said:
“The Samaritans exist to help people at times of severe distress or when they are having suicidal thoughts – and that is how they advertise themselves. The ways that Samaritan volunteers are inducted and supported reflects the level of need they deal with – which can include people committing suicide while they are on the phone. Switchboard on the other hand deals with less urgent situations, and caters for people in less severe circumstances who are not at the end of their tether, but mostly need someone to talk a problem over with – and that is how we advertise ourselves. It is concerning if stats are showing that LGBT people are increasingly seeking out a crisis service.”
Catherine Johnstone, Chief Executive of Samaritans, said:
“Samaritans is there for everyone, gay or straight, at any time. We are absolutely confidential and we don’t make judgements. Whatever your problem, call us and we’ll listen to anything you need to say.”
To contact Brighton and Hove LGBT Switchboard, telephone: 01273 20 40 50 between 5pm-9pm on Monday to Friday and 5pm-7pm on Saturday and Sunday. You can leave a message at any other times for a volunteer to call you back.
