WELSH LOVE ISLAND CONTESTANT STANDS UP TO LONELINESS FOR SAMARITANS BREW MONDAY

WELSH LOVE ISLAND CONTESTANT STANDS UP TO LONELINESS FOR SAMARITANS BREW MONDAY

Reaching out to someone could make all the difference, says Dr Alex George.

Welsh A&E doctor and Love Island contestant Dr Alex George, is among celebrities who are speaking out about loneliness in a specially produced film released today for Samaritans’ Brew Monday, the 21st of January 2019.

Brew Monday encourages people to get together with friends, family and work mates, who may be lonely, for a cuppa and a chat. It is a takeover of Blue Monday, the third Monday in January, which has been dubbed ‘the most difficult day of the year’.

Dr Alex George, an A&E doctor from Carmarthen said: “Moments like Brew Monday can help make us more aware of the need to reachout to people who might be feeling lonely. Offering a mug of the hot stuff, could possibly make all the difference. It’s like the domino effect – a chain reaction of positive events.” 

BRIT Award nominated IDLES front man, Joe Talbot, radio presenter Gemma Cairney and superstar poet and mental health campaigner Hussain Manawer, join Dr Alex George in the video. The celebrities build a trail of biscuits shaped like dominoes to illustrate how reaching out to someone could be the start of them feeling less lonely, and the beginning of a positive domino effect. The video can be seen here.

Dr Alex George experienced feelings of loneliness as a student and credits a friend for listening to him. He said: “In my fourth year of medical school, I went away on a placement to Truro in Cornwall. Being far away, I felt incredibly isolated, which led me to feel lonely and unhappy, but I was lucky to have a few friends out there with me.

“They noticed I was feeling down and went out of their way to talk to me about how I was feeling. Something as simple as someone listening, made a huge difference.” 

It’s not all about biscuits though – there’s a serious side to Brew Monday, as loneliness is an issue that can affect everyone, including young people. A report launched today by Samaritans looked at the role loneliness can play in suicide risk. Researchers spoke to 18-24-year olds about their experiences of loneliness and suicidal feelings. They found that loneliness played a significant role in young people’s suicidal thoughts, with many citing the stigma around loneliness as the main reason preventing them getting the help they needed. The report can be found here.

19-year-old footballer Ruth Fox, who was part of the research said: “I have a strong network of people around me, but can often feel like I have absolutely no one to confide in. For me, the most valuable thing that can help on a day to day basis is people checking in on me, it makes me feel a lot less alone and like someone has got my back.” 

Sarah Stone, Executive Director for Wales said:

“Days like Brew Monday can help raise awareness of loneliness as a national issue but, for too long, loneliness in young people has not been taken seriously. It’s time to put this right and listen to what they are telling us.

“We are pleased that the Welsh Government are developing a strategy to tackle loneliness and isolation in Wales and have outlined our views in our response to their consultation. It is crucial we invest in community infrastructure in Wales and make sure communities have better access to free community groups and networks”

All over the UK and Ireland in communities and workplaces, people will be getting their mugs out to support Brew Monday, whilst raising vital funds to support Samaritans’ life-saving work. Over 150 rail station events will take place, with volunteers talking to people about the service on their daily commute and across the rail industry. Over 70 tea parties will be put on to join Brew Monday celebrations. Branches across Wales will be supporting the event at their local stations, including Cardiff, Bridgend, Swansea, Rhyl, Merthyr, Pontypridd and Aberystwyth.

Transport for Wales’ community relations manager, Geraint Morgan said:

“We are delighted to be supporting the Samaritans’ Brew Monday event by hosting activity at 13 stations across our network. With thousands of customers passing through our stations during the day, it will be an excellent opportunity to help raise awareness of the importance and benefits of being able to discuss any concerns with family, friends or with the Samaritans directly.”   

For further information, photos and interviews, please contact wales@samaritans.org or 029 2022 2008. A full press pack including the release, video and photos is available here.