Bloodstock – shout out to The Samaritans

samaritans 192From the Bloodstock website:

The festival Samaritans are very much a permanent fixture at Bloodstock and will be returning in 2015 situated in the MIDGARD campsite.  They are available 24 hours a day should you feel the need to talk to someone.

A friend of mine pointed out that we always, naturally, focus on the bands and event organisers when talking about gigs and festivals. The people we often forget to mention are the support staff. Security, ticketing staff, caterers, cleaners, sound engineers, scaffolders, first aid…

One group I’d never have thought to have mentioned are The Samaritans who are regulars at Bloodstock as well as other festivals (see their own list here). Why would you need to speak to someone about feeling down during what’s sure to be a highlight of your year? Well, hopefully, you won’t. But things do happen, emotions run high, and there’s always just that chance.

Speaking on a personal note, I very recently lost an acquaintance who took his own life as a result of, primarily, depression. It would not surprise me if many of you reading this also knew him. This loss has rammed home to me the depths some people must reach and the desperation they must feel to end things themselves.

The Samaritans are one group of people whose sole purpose is to be reached out to and if they spend the entire weekend doing nothing because everyone is genuinely not in need of them, then I know they’ll all go home happy too. However, they need to be praised – and thanked – for being there at all. Just in case.

Remember that talking to The Samaritans is always anonymous, and always on your terms. Don’t feel embarrassed, silly or that you’re just being “too much trouble”. A place to sit down, let it all out, have a cuppa and get a bit of advice may be all you need to put things in perspective and start to build yourself back up again.

If you need them at any other time, they’re available 24 hours a day every single day of the year. Contact details are on their website – phone, email, mail or drop-in. Don’t forget that they’re a registered charity, and that you can donate to ensure they help as many people as possible.

Ladies and gents of The Samaritans – The Moshville Times raises its horns to you.

The Samaritans: website

 

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