Samaritans Brew Monday

The third Monday of January is supposedly the most depressing day of the year and has become known as ‘Blue Monday’. Samaritans have transformed Blue Monday to ‘Brew Monday’ and we’re here to tell you how you can get involved.

Don’t let things stew, get together for a brew — the campaign tells the nation. The idea behind the campaign encourages us all to invite a friend, family member, or colleague for a cuppa and have a good long chat — not just about tea, but about anything that might be upsetting them.

‘We’re here to listen, no judgement, no pressure, and help you work through what’s on your mind. We’ll never tell you what to do.’ – Samaritans.

A quick coffee really could make a big difference to someone’s mental health.

Often, people who are feeling low in life or even suicidal don’t want to worry or burden anyone with how they feel and so they don’t discuss it. But by reaching out and inviting someone to catch a coffee with you it could make all the difference.

Every single day around 16 people decide to end their own life across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, with men three times more likely to take their own lives than women.

1 in 5 people have thought about suicide at some time in their life. And not all people who die by suicide have mental health problems at the time they die.

The majority of people who feel suicidal do not want to die; they do not want to live the life they have. The distinction may seem small but is very important. It’s why talking through other options at the right time is so vital.

Research commissioned by Samaritans found eight out of 10 people believe getting together for tea and a talk makes them ‘feel better’ about their day.

It’s so important to make your friends and family feel as though they can open up and to make them aware of how Samaritans can help if they find it hard to discuss things with their loved ones and want to talk to someone who doesn’t know them.

Choose somewhere quiet, where you won’t be interrupted and the other person feels comfortable. Make sure you both have enough time to talk.

Get your free fundraising kit and have a brew your way and make a difference to someone’s life.

By using your catch-up over coffee to help raise money for Samaritans, you can help make sure that someone who is going through a hard time has somewhere to turn if they need it.
It costs £5 for Samaritans to be able to answer a call for help from someone struggling and who may need a friendly voice to listen to them. By signing up and getting your free fundraising kit you can make a donation to help someone in need, and perhaps even save a life.

What’s inside a fundraising kit?

Your fundraising kit will include everything you need to help you raise awareness for your Brew Monday, and raise money for an amazing cause. The kit includes more information on the work Samaritans do, posters to display around your work or home, and great ideas to make it fun whilst raise the money.

Where can you have your Brew Monday? Absolutely anywhere!

Have your Brew Monday at work — we all know that Monday morning feeling, but having a Brew Monday helps cheer up the office and lets colleagues and employers to get to know each other that bit better.

Have your Brew in the comfort of your home — a Brew Monday is a good excuse to invite over neighbours, family, friends, or anyone for that matter! Make it a big event with lots of people, or keep it small and casual. With the cold winter weather outside, warm everyone up with their perfect cuppa and perhaps a biscuit or two!

Have your Brew…. anywhere at all! At school, in the village hall or church, at the leisure centre, at the kid’s local club, anywhere that works for you! It’s the perfect way to introduce yourself to new people and make more friends by getting involved with the local community.

You can also support Samaritans in other ways too…

Don’t fancy a Brew Monday but want to support Samaritans in another way?

Why not win the lottery for a good cause! Sounds good, right?

By playing Samaritan’s Lottery you will be entered into a weekly draw with the chance to win £25,000! It costs just £4.34 a month to enter – that’s enough to help answer one life-saving call for help. 50p of every £1 you play is guaranteed to go straight to Samaritans to support the amazing work they do. The remaining 50p will be used to provide prizes and cover administration costs.

Shop to save lives — yep, you read that right!

Samaritan’s have their own charity shops, including online shopping available. Whether you shop in one of their charity shops or online, your support will mean Samaritans can be there to answer every call for help they receive.

Raise money by running a marathon.

Fancy getting fit to raise money this year? You can find all the 2020 marathon events and locations at www.samaritans.org/wales/support-us/events-and-fundraising/events-and-challenges/.

For more information about how to get your free fundraising kit, other events you can get involved in, or to find out more about the work Samaritans do visit
www.samaritans.org

Special thanks to Mental Health Awareness and The Chestnut Appeal for sponsoring this article.