Author: Martin Driver

Merseyrail has joined Samaritans to remind people travelling on its network that we all have the potential to be lifesavers by simply striking up a conversation.

Small Talk Saves Lives aims to let people know it’s normal to feel anxious about starting a conversation and making small talk. You might worry about saying the wrong thing – but having the confidence to act could help save a life.

Simple question

A little small talk and a simple question like “Hi, where can I get a coffee?” can be all it takes to interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts and could help set them on the journey to recovery.

Research from Samaritans revealed that only 50% of UK adults said they would feel confident approaching and speaking to someone they don’t know if they were concerned about them in public. The survey also suggested that we’re more comfortable behind a screen as a nation, as people would much prefer chatting to someone they don’t know on the phone (33%) or by email (18%), compared to face-to-face (9%).

Of those who said they wouldn’t feel confident approaching someone they don’t know, the top reasons holding them back were ‘worrying the person wouldn’t welcome their approach’ (44%) and ‘worrying they’d make things worse’ (29%), whilst a quarter said ‘not knowing what to say’ was also a concern.  

Path to recovery

So, Samaritans is relaunching its Small Talk Saves Lives campaign today, in partnership with Merseyrail, Network Rail, British Transport Police and the wider rail industry. A new film across digital and social media reassures the public that a little small talk like ‘where can I get a coffee?’ can be all it takes to interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts and help set them on a path to recovery.

Samaritans’ volunteers across the country will also be heading to their local stations to host outreach events. Samaritans’ volunteers will be joined by Merseyrail staff at Ormskirk station on Thursday 23 February (08:00-10:00), speaking to passengers about the campaign, highlighting the power of talking and providing myth busting leaflets to help ease any concerns they may have.

Life-changing

Julie Bentley, Samaritans CEO said: “It’s normal to feel anxious about starting a conversation with someone you don’t know in person, but at Samaritans we know first-hand how life-changing that conversation could be. Suicidal thoughts are often temporary and there’s no evidence to suggest that you will make the situation worse – it’s about trusting your instincts, starting a conversation, and showing you care. We know it’s been a really challenging time for people’s mental health over the last few years, so we hope the Small Talk Saves Lives campaign builds that confidence and remind the public of the difference they can make. Let’s continue to look out for one another – it could save a life.”

Simple skills

James Smith, acting HR director for Merseyrail, said: “We’re really proud to be working in partnership with Samaritans again on this important campaign to help raise awareness of the power of small talk. It’s so important we continue look out for one another, as we all have the simple skills which could save a life.”

Launched in 2017, Small Talk Saves Lives was developed after research showed the positive part the public could play in suicide prevention. The campaign is backed by suicide prevention expert Dr Lisa Marzano from Middlesex University.

Powerful

Dr Marzano said: “In our latest research we spoke to those who had made and received interventions themselves and they really echoed the main Small Talk Saves Lives message. We heard how powerful it can be to use small talk or to ask simple questions, in a calm manner. We also found reassuring results around teamwork and the fact that you don’t have to manage this alone – you could speak to a member of staff or call 999 in an emergency too.”

You can more information and tips about the SmallTalkSavesLives campaign here.

Or join the conversation on social media using #SmallTalkSavesLives.

Residents across south Sefton are being invited for a free lung check as part of an NHS targeted lung health check programme and a drop-in event aimed at raising awareness of the programme and the symptoms of lung cancer will be held in the Tesco superstore on Hawthorne Road on Friday 24th February, 10am-4pm.

Free MOT for your lungs

Targeted Lung Health Checks (TLHC) are described as a free ‘MOT for your lungs’ and are helping the NHS to spot lung cancer and other issues earlier when they are easier to treat.

A team of trained community engagement and patient advocates from the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation will be on hand to chat to people at the drop-in event and will be bringing their ‘mega lungs’ with them to help show the importance of maintaining healthy lungs and the signs and symptoms to look out for.

Hundreds of eligible people in south Sefton are already taking part in the programme, with patients in other areas including Litherland due to receive their letters from the NHS inviting them to make an appointment in the coming weeks and months.

The NHS Lung Health Check takes place in two stages. Once you accept the offer to take part, you will receive a telephone call and a specially trained healthcare professional will ask you a series of questions. This will take approximately 30 minutes. As part of the check, some people may be offered a low-dose CT scan at a later date, if any risks have been identified.

Peace of mind

Dr Debbie Harvey, GP and clinical lead for the Targeted Lung Health Check programme in south Sefton said: “I am pleased we will soon be inviting eligible people to take part in the Targeted Lung Health Checks in Litherland. Many people in other parts of south Sefton have been given valuable peace of mind by taking part in the programme, and where we have found potential health issues it is helping us to treat them sooner. Early cancer diagnosis saves lives, so if you are contacted by a member of the team offering you a Lung Health Check, please say yes.”

Paula Chadwick, chief executive of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation said: “We encourage anyone who has received an invitation for a lung health check or just wants to improve their lung health, to pop down to the event at Tesco, Litherland on Friday 24 February. We appreciate some people can feel a little nervous about attending an appointment so if you have any questions or concerns, the team are here to answer them.

“It is so important we do everything we can to look after our lungs and these simple check-ups are a brilliant way to make sure everything is ok. And if there is anything wrong, we are catching it at the earliest opportunity.”

Symptoms

The main symptoms of lung cancer include a cough that doesn’t go away after three weeks, chest infections that keep coming back, coughing up blood, an ache or pain when breathing or coughing, persistent breathlessness, persistent tiredness or lack of energy and/or loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss.

Lung cancer can often be caught too late as there are rarely symptoms at the earlier stages. The programme is designed to check those most at risk of developing lung cancer in order to spot signs earlier, at the stage when it’s much more treatable and ultimately saving more lives.

You can find more information on the Targeted Lung Health Check programme here.   

The Targeted Lung Health Check roadshow will be at Tesco superstore on Hawthorne Road, Litherland, Bootle, Liverpool L21 8NZ  on Friday 24th February between 10am and 4pm.