A CHARITY is urging people not to suffer in silence as 'Blue Monday' approaches.

January 21 is often known as ‘Blue Monday’ with Christmas over, the New Year in the past and winter well and truly set in.

But the Barrow, Furness and South Lakes branch of Samaritans want like to see people meet up over a brew and make it a day of support and encouragement for everyone.

Based at 16 Hartington Street in Barrow, local Samaritans will join with all branches of the national charity in an effort to make it a ‘Brew Day’ not a blue day.

The charity is urging friends, family, neighbours and colleagues to talk over a tea or coffee to offer support to each other and to help raise funds for Samaritans through donations.

The Samaritans free phone number, 116 123, is widely known, but the Barrow branch director, Cath Bland, also wanted to stress that people are welcome to come into its Hartington Street home to talk.

Miss Bland said: “Anything said in person to a Samaritan is treated with the same confidentiality as a phone call.

“Our branch opening hours are printed on the notice board in the window.

“It is also possible to text Samaritans or send an email, these methods are not to discourage people from phoning but to try to make ourselves as available as possible to everyone. Many people think they have to have thoughts of ending their lives to talk to us, and although we would obviously want anyone with those feelings to contact us, we are also there for anyone wanting to talk.

“We are there for people of all ages, both young and old.”

For more than 64 years, Samaritans volunteers have helped save countless lives, but as demand for its services grow, it needs support now more than ever.

None of its volunteers are paid nor are its regional and national directors.

But to keep its branches up and down Britain and Northern Ireland open it needs to raise funds.

Visit www.samaritans.org/branches/samaritans-barrow-furness-and-south-lakes to find out more.