Over the three days of the Chinese New Year holiday the Samaritans' Multi-lingual Suicide Prevention Service answered 253 calls from depressed, lonely and suicidal people.
Most of our callers spoke about the New Year holiday being a time when families came together. For a variety of reasons our callers were not able to be with their families, but they were able, thanks to the Samaritans on duty, to talk to someone who cared that they were sad.
Altogether, 21 of our volunteers gave up part of their Chinese New Year holiday to maintain our 24-hour hotline service.
We are always on the look out for this special kind of person who can make time for others.
On Monday, February 12, we are holding an open evening with a film that shows our work and what it can mean for individuals in need of love and support. If you think you might have the special qualities we are looking for please contact us.
May I also take this opportunity of asking any already-trained Samaritans who are newly arrived in Hong Kong to contact me if they are able to help. We took 29,800 calls last year from English and Cantonese speakers and the more help we can get the more help we can give.
