Inverness Samaritans aim to raise awareness of service with Dawn Walk for World Mental Health Day

Volunteers from Samaritans of Inverness will be hoping for clear skies this Saturday as they gather for a Dawn Walk in celebration of World Mental Health Day.

Joined by friends, family and members of the public across the UK, the Dawn Walk is being held in solidarity with people struggling to cope with mental health issues all over.

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The Inverness branch of the UK-wide charity, which provides emotional support for anyone in distress and finding it hard to cope, is now in its 52nd year with 36 volunteers currently involved.

Working in shifts of three to six hours at their branch on Tomnahurich Street at all hours of the day and night over the phone, the service hopes to also start providing email support early in 2025.

Inverness Samaritans director and organiser, Alison Wood, said: “The walk will be an easy paced 5k with no hills as we stroll along on the side of the Caledonian Canal starting at the Muirtown Swing Bridge.

“We will cross at the point then beyond Clachnaharry, returning on the other side via the Merkinch Nature Reserve with a detour to the picnic spot at South Kessock. If it’s clear, the dawn will be stunning.

“The Jammy Piece tearoom at the Muirtown Swing Bridge on the Caledonian Canal has very generously offered to open early for us so that we can all have a cuppa and a breakfast roll, so a big thank you to them.”

Most of those taking part in the walk will be the charity’s volunteers, who are hoping the event can raise awareness of the service the charity provides.

Ms Wood added: “Samaritan volunteers are ordinary, everyday people, from all kinds of backgrounds, of all ages who are trained to listen and help people talk through their troubles in a safe space without judgement.

“We don’t give advice or opinion and we don’t have magic wands, but we can help explore options and allow callers to come to their own decisions about what’s best. Our support may help find that way forward.

“People contact us about all sorts of things - job stresses, being out of work, money troubles, family struggles, relationship issues, trying to measure up, feeling alone, feeling worthless, feeling sad or angry all the time, getting into trouble, being abused, feeling suicidal, needing to drink to get through the day.

“It doesn’t matter what kind of problem it is. What matters to us is how your life is making you feel. Sometimes people get to a point where they feel they can’t cope, where it all feels too much to handle. It’s worse if you feel you can’t talk to anyone about what’s weighing on your mind and that’s where we come in.

“Simply having someone to talk to can help. Sharing your troubles with someone who gives you time, attention and tries to see things from your point of view can be a relief and a comfort. In fact, just knowing someone is there in case you need them can make you feel better.

“We would love anyone to join us on this Dawn Walk - whether you’ve used our service before, would like to walk in memory of someone special or want to help us help others.”

The group will be meeting at 6.30am this Saturday, at the B&M car park in Carsegate Road, Inverness.

The walk is planned for a 6.45am start, ahead of dawn at 7.07am.

Anyone can contact Samaritans free at any time 24/7 365 days a year, from any phone on 116 123 - even from a mobile without any credit.

The number won’t show up on a phone bill. Volunteers cannot see your number and don’t know where you are.

You can find out more about the support given as well as volunteering at samaritans.org.

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