Samaritans target disease victims

2 May 2001



Samaritans target disease victims

By FWi staff

THE Samaritans has unveiled a new hard-hitting television advert aimed at people struggling to cope with the effects of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The advert weaves news footage clips together to depict the isolation of those hit by the crisis in farming, tourism and the rural small business sector.

It is part of the organisations rural stress campaign, which aims to encourage people affected by the outbreak to seek support rather than bottle things up.

Simon Armson, chief executive of the Samaritans said: “In a very compelling way this film shows the huge pressure that people are under.”

But he added: “We can provide a light at the end of the tunnel for those enduring enormous emotional distress as a result of the rural crisis.”

Samaritan volunteers are available to take calls at 203 branches across the UK and Ireland.

They will provide confidential emotional support 24 hours a day either on the telephone, by letter or face-to-face.

To contact The Samaritans, call 08457 909090.