YOUR VIEWS: Inverness volunteers celebrate Samaritans Awareness Day

Samaritans volunteers are raising awareness of the free, emotional support they provide, available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

To make reaching out for help easier, the suicide prevention charity has created new assets explaining what to expect when contacting Samaritans.

This July, Inverness Samaritans will be celebrating Samaritans Awareness Day [on July 24], highlighting the life-saving emotional support its volunteers provide.

Samaritans volunteers respond to a call for help every 10 seconds from people facing all sorts of challenges. Sadly, we also know that not everyone feels able to reach out for the support they need or may not feel they have someone to turn to.

That’s why Samaritans Awareness Day aims to remind everyone that our volunteers are here to lend a listening ear at any time of day or night, whatever you’re going through.

It’s more important than ever that people don't wait until crisis point to seek support and share how they are feeling.

To help encourage help-seeking, and make it easier to reach out for support, the suicide prevention charity has created new assets answering common questions people have about contacting its volunteers.

These include “what if I don’t know what to say or how to explain how I feel?”, “is it OK to call more than once?” and “can I call you even if I’m not feeling suicidal?” Samaritans’ social media channels will be posting the answers – and further important information – throughout July.

For more information about Samaritans Awareness Day, and how to get involved, visit www.samaritans.org/247

Anyone can contact Samaritans for free any time, from any phone, on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org

Alison Wood, Samaritans Inverness branch chairperson

Nairn golfer wins Silver Medal at The Open

Calum Scott won The Silver Medal at The Open after finishing the competition’s top amateur player.

The 20-year-old from Nairn held his nerve to claim the prestigious title at Royal Troon last Sunday.

“Congratulations Calum. Great golf in some appalling conditions.” - Jackie MacDonald

“Brilliant, well done. One to watch for future years.” - Linda Macd Cameron

“Great stuff. Your family must be proud.” - Steven Doogan

“Congratulations to the young fella. Hopefully he'll go pro and win lots.” - Thomas Richard

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