A FILM has been released to coincide with a mental health charity’s fundraising event.

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

 

The new film, which stars famous faces such as IDLES frontman Joe Talbot, Love Island’s Dr Alex George and radio presenter Gemma Cairney, has been specially produced to speak out about loneliness.

Dr Alex George 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, 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.”

Organised by national mental health charity Samaritans, Brew Monday sees groups across the country organising events to bring people together on a day when they might be feeling lonely or upset.

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.

 

A report by Samaritans looked at the role loneliness can play in the risk of people taking their own life.

Researchers spoke to 18-24-year olds about their experiences of loneliness and thoughts of ending their own lives.

They found that loneliness played a significant role in young people’s mental health, with many citing the stigma around loneliness as the main reason preventing them getting the help they needed.

The Samaritans’ volunteers are on hand 24/7 throughout the year to listen to people who are suffering with their mental health. If you are struggling mentally and need someone to talk to, call them on 116123.

To watch the Brew Monday film, visit youtube.com/watch?v=_sz3ABZcNEQ&feature=youtu.be

For more information about Brew Monday and other work being carried out by the Samaritans, visit samaritans.org