Small Talk Saves Lives, a campaign launched in 2017, is still going strong, with visits planned to Sussex railway stations over the next two weeks.
Brighton, Hove and District Samaritans is reminding the public small talk can save lives 'and we are better at it than we think,' although 1 in 2 of us admit to swerving someone we don’t know to avoid small talk.
Newly-released research from the suicide prevention charity reveals as a nation, 49% of us have avoided engaging with someone we don’t know due to the fear of having to make small talk, with 22% worried we would say the wrong thing, even though over half of us state that we have used small talk in our personal and professional lives over the past month.
Although people might worry that you’ll say the wrong thing, the charity says saying something is better than saying nothing. The campaign reassures the public a little small talk like ‘do you know where I can grab a cuppa?’ can be all it takes to interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts and remind them support is available.
Delivered in partnership with Network Rail, British Transport Police, and the wider rail industry, Small Talk Saves Lives empowers the public to trust their instincts and gives them the confidence to start a conversation if they think someone needs help.
Brighton Hove and District Samaritans volunteers, along with Samaritans volunteers across the country, will be heading to their local railway stations at peak times to spread the message that Small Talk Saves Lives.
The volunteers started with Brighton station yesterday, Haywards Heath today (Wednesday, February 28), Lewes on Feb 29 and Hove and Burgess Hill, on March 5, and Preston Park on March 6.
On Thursday, March 7, local MP Lloyd Russel Moyle will be at Falmer station from 3pm as he helps to highlight this life-saving campaign.
Robin Webb from our Brighton, Hove and District branch said:
“This campaign empowers people to trust their instincts and have the confidence to act, because it could save a life.
“Our campaign over the next four weeks will see our volunteers raising awareness by handing out leaflets and encouraging commuters to trust their instincts to use small talk to support someone who may be in need of help.
“There’s no evidence you will make the situation worse, and you don’t need training for this. It’s about being there for that person, listening, and showing you care which can make all the difference.”
For more information and tips, visit Samaritans.org/smalltalksaveslives or join the conversation on social media using #SmallTalkSavesLives
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