Date: Thursday 5th February 2009
Contact: Claire Duncan
Phone: +44 (0)20 8394 8345
Email: c.duncan@samaritans.org
Out of hours press phone: +44 (0)7943 809162
Samaritans encourages workers to take time out from the office routine to support those in emotional distress
Employees nationwide are wearing slippers to work and switching off their emails on Friday 6th February in support of Samaritans’ national fundraising initiative, Stress Down Day.
The charity is asking people to take part in 'chill out' activities in the office to raise funds to support the increasing numbers of people contacting Samaritans in these troubled economic times; worried about their finances, jobs and mortgages. Workers are getting involved in the day by paying £2 to swap their shoes for slippers in the office, sponsoring colleagues to switch off emails for an hour, and creating relaxation zones that staff can hire throughout the day. All proceeds will go towards funding Samaritans’ 24-hour emotional support helpline.
Money-saving expert Martin Lewis is supporting Stress Down Day and encourages people struggling to cope emotionally to seek help: “We live in a world where people stick their heads in the sand, afraid to ask for help. Sometimes you want to talk to somebody but you worry about burdening friends or family. Having a service like Samaritans there to let it all out to, without them knowing your name or judging you, is really vital.”
“We are a worried and distressed nation at the moment. As people get more stressed they are likely to become less productive as their worries escalate. The current financial crisis means people are feeling under immense pressure to perform in their jobs. It’s vital to take regular breaks to clear your head – you will be more efficient in the long-run. And remember, if you lose your job, it is your job that has become redundant, not you.”
Samaritans' Head of Fundraising, Hazel Norval, said: "Stress Down Day is the ultimate dress down Friday; a perfect opportunity to give employees a relaxing and morale-boosting break in the office whilst raising vital funds to keep Samaritans' 24-hour service up and running through these difficult times. Help us make a real difference to someone today. For more information about how to get involved in Stress Down Day log on to www.stressdownday.org."
Companies involved in the day include Nationwide, Allianz, The On Site Massage Company Ltd, Balance Me and Westfield The Friary Shopping Centre.
Visit www.stressdownday.org/stressworkplace.php for more information about how to cope with stress in the workplace.
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About Samaritans
It is the aim of Samaritans to make emotional health a mainstream issue. Samaritans' vision is for a society where fewer people die by suicide because people are able to share feelings of emotional distress openly without fear of being judged. Samaritans believes that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings.
Samaritans is a registered charity, founded in 1953, which offers 24-hour confidential emotional support to anyone in emotional distress. The service is offered by 16,534 trained volunteers and is entirely dependent on voluntary support. Across the UK, you can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (1850 60 90 90 in the Republic of Ireland) email jo@samaritans.org, write to Samaritans at Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA, or if you are deaf or hard of hearing use the single national minicom number 08457 90 91 92. Log on to www.samaritans.org for more information. Calls from BT will be charged at up to 2 pence per minute at all times. A call set-up fee of 7 pence applies to calls from residential lines. Mobile and other providers' charges may vary.
Contact: Claire Duncan
Phone: +44 (0)20 8394 8345
Email: c.duncan@samaritans.org
Out of hours press phone: +44 (0)7943 809162
Banish office blues on Stress Down Friday
Samaritans encourages workers to take time out from the office routine to support those in emotional distress
Employees nationwide are wearing slippers to work and switching off their emails on Friday 6th February in support of Samaritans’ national fundraising initiative, Stress Down Day.
The charity is asking people to take part in 'chill out' activities in the office to raise funds to support the increasing numbers of people contacting Samaritans in these troubled economic times; worried about their finances, jobs and mortgages. Workers are getting involved in the day by paying £2 to swap their shoes for slippers in the office, sponsoring colleagues to switch off emails for an hour, and creating relaxation zones that staff can hire throughout the day. All proceeds will go towards funding Samaritans’ 24-hour emotional support helpline.
Money-saving expert Martin Lewis is supporting Stress Down Day and encourages people struggling to cope emotionally to seek help: “We live in a world where people stick their heads in the sand, afraid to ask for help. Sometimes you want to talk to somebody but you worry about burdening friends or family. Having a service like Samaritans there to let it all out to, without them knowing your name or judging you, is really vital.”
“We are a worried and distressed nation at the moment. As people get more stressed they are likely to become less productive as their worries escalate. The current financial crisis means people are feeling under immense pressure to perform in their jobs. It’s vital to take regular breaks to clear your head – you will be more efficient in the long-run. And remember, if you lose your job, it is your job that has become redundant, not you.”
Samaritans' Head of Fundraising, Hazel Norval, said: "Stress Down Day is the ultimate dress down Friday; a perfect opportunity to give employees a relaxing and morale-boosting break in the office whilst raising vital funds to keep Samaritans' 24-hour service up and running through these difficult times. Help us make a real difference to someone today. For more information about how to get involved in Stress Down Day log on to www.stressdownday.org."
Companies involved in the day include Nationwide, Allianz, The On Site Massage Company Ltd, Balance Me and Westfield The Friary Shopping Centre.
Visit www.stressdownday.org/stressworkplace.php for more information about how to cope with stress in the workplace.
-ends-
About Samaritans
It is the aim of Samaritans to make emotional health a mainstream issue. Samaritans' vision is for a society where fewer people die by suicide because people are able to share feelings of emotional distress openly without fear of being judged. Samaritans believes that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings.
Samaritans is a registered charity, founded in 1953, which offers 24-hour confidential emotional support to anyone in emotional distress. The service is offered by 16,534 trained volunteers and is entirely dependent on voluntary support. Across the UK, you can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (1850 60 90 90 in the Republic of Ireland) email jo@samaritans.org, write to Samaritans at Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA, or if you are deaf or hard of hearing use the single national minicom number 08457 90 91 92. Log on to www.samaritans.org for more information. Calls from BT will be charged at up to 2 pence per minute at all times. A call set-up fee of 7 pence applies to calls from residential lines. Mobile and other providers' charges may vary.