Derry Samaritans mark World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day 2024 is urging people to prioritise collective wellbeing.

The annual day, which takes place on October 10, looks to highlight the importance of looking after one’s mental health, and each year there is a different theme, and this World Mental Health Day is “It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace,” to foster supportive work environments.

Rosemary O'Doherty, Director of the Derry Samaritans, believes the day is a fantastic way to raise awareness for people to take their mental health more seriously.

She said: “It is a great day and raising awareness for mental health, and it has helped other people who may not feel they have any issues understand why other people are having difficulty in their lives.

“But, I am going to have to be honest, we find every day is mental health day for the people that ring us.

The day goes on to give mental health more of a profile; we find people ring us whenever they need us, and that could be every day or every night; it never stops for us.”

The Samaritans is a charity for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure, and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The service offers listening and support to people and communities in times of need.

Mrs O’Doherty said: “For us listeners, it is not about trying to find a solution; it is about listening to what they are dealing with and just trying to be there to support them when they are trying to get help to deal with it.

“Sometimes it is about just showing that somebody understands what someone is going through and that they are not on their own with it.

“As a volunteer, you are saddened by what some people's lives are like, which is natural, but at least you can come away knowing that the person got the chance to talk about what is troubling them, what they want to do about it, and how they are going to cope. 

“I feel that is really empowering for them; it is about what the person feels they can do, and we give them that opportunity to talk about that and discuss where they could get further support. 

“But it is about allowing them to find that way.”

Mrs O’Doherty is grateful to all the volunteers that are involved with the Derry branch and those involved with the service elsewhere.

She said: “They are incredibly important; I don’t think you would talk to any volunteer that wouldn’t tell you it was the most satisfying thing they have done, just being there on a call to someone with great problems and knowing that you maybe are the only person that individual is able to talk to, as they can’t speak to friends and family.”

Derry recently lost the services of Men's Action Network, a service that has supported thousands of men and their families over three decades, due to a lack of funding.

However, Mrs O’Doherty is pleased there are a number of mental health organisations to provide help.

She said: “For people with more severe needs and those who have problems and just want to talk about it.

“We have so many great organisations in this town, and obviously there are great options online too.”

World Mental Health Day helps raise awareness for people to take their mental health seriously.

However, Mrs O’Doherty believes that more needs to be done to help people with mental health concerns.

She said: “I suppose for a lot of people it is difficult because they don’t know who they can trust.

“I think it is about reaching out to anything that is going to support you, but when you feel ready to.

“There should be more done to help, but it is knowing where to start and how to start because it is hitting everybody at every stage of their life, and it is knowing when is the best time for people to engage with before it gets too difficult.

“Starting to deal with feelings when they happen, not trying to hide them or cover them up but to be open and talk about it and talk about how it feels for you.”

Derry Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and if you need support, you can call their services on the number 0330 094 5717.