"Loneliness, is a cloak you wear. A deep shade of blue is always there.... The tears are always clouding your eyes. When you're without love" - Walker Brothers

• 25-34-year-olds experience the highest levels of loneliness (82%), but the issue is prevalent across all age groups according to the new research in support of Samaritans
  
• More than half of Brits (52%) believe there is a stigma attached to being lonely
  
• 9 in 10 (87%) of the people surveyed said that having a face to face catch up over a cup of tea would help them feel less lonely
  
• PG tips joins Samaritans ‘celebritea’ supporters, including Dame Julie Walters to encourage the nation to come together for a warming cuppa
  
• Two thirds of Brits (64%) have felt lonely in the past year, the new research has revealed.

Perhaps the above lyrics from the Walker Brothers hit of 1969, The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore, was for many merely a song about loneliness and heartbreak, but for many others it could be related to as a reflection of the way they saw their own lives. The deeper the shade of blue, the closer to feelings of loneliness and perhaps even ending it all.

But we have come along way since 1969 when suicide was little understood and seemed to be a subject only of TV dramas, and something seldom talked about and seldom understood.

However, the theme of mental health problem prevention and indeed of suicide prevention is one and the same - talking with someone.

From wearing a 'cloak of loneliness' to having a 'Blue Monday' as expressions of a mood and mental outlook to sitting down with a cuppa to talk to a freind, colleague or family member about your worries, your mood, and your fears; is a huge step.

It is the idea that a cuppa and a chat can do a lot to stem the feelings of loneliness, that is being promoted by the Samaritans new campaign called "Brew Monday" and supported by PG Tips who have Commissioned a study which sheds new light on the far-reaching impact of loneliness, its causes, and how people can overcome it.

Whilst 25-34-year olds reported the highest levels of loneliness - with 82% of respondents saying they had felt lonely in the past year - the study has shown the issue affects people of all ages, in all areas of the UK. Major life changes such as becoming a new parent, bereavement or moving to a new area were all identified as key factors attributing to people’s loneliness.

The survey also highlighted that more than half of Brits (52%) say they are less likely to admit to being lonely because there is stigma attached.

However, with 9 in 10 (87%) saying getting together over a cup of tea would help them feel less lonely, PG tips has pledged its support to Samaritans Brew Monday, a fundraising initiative that encourages people to come together over a cuppa.

Turning the idea of ‘Blue Monday’ on its head into something positive, Samaritans Brew Monday encourages people to get together with family, friends or colleagues for a chat and a warming cuppa throughout January and February.

The Samaritans ’Brew Monday’ campaign hopes to spark conversations between family, friends and colleagues by handing out thousands of tea bags. The charity wants to turn the third Monday of the year – known by some as ‘Blue Monday’ – into a positive day.

The Government, Network Rail and Train Operators are supporting the Charity’s campaign and urging train commuters to look out for their fellow passengers in a bid to reduce the number of suicides on the rail network.

Around 4.4 per cent of all suicides in the UK take place on the railways, with figures from 2018-19 showing there were 279 suicides or suspected suicides on the network. Sadly this included a CWU member on his way to work last year.

Taking time to listen to another person could help them through a tough time and having a brew together is a great excuse to do just that. People can use their get-together to raise money for Samaritans, so someone having a tough time has somewhere to turn. Brew Monday has the backing of British stars including Dame Julie Walters, former Bake Off contestant Michael Chakraverty and comedian Rachel Parris.

Dame Julie Walters said:

“Talking is really important – to get it out of your head and into the atmosphere and for someone to witness that, is important in life. I’m supporting Brew Monday as I believe we need to listen, notice and talk to people. It isn’t a problem to talk about how you are feeling, and things won’t get out of control, if anything it will dissipate. It’s about not being afraid to approach somebody and noticing what’s happening around you.”

Fiachra Moloney, Director of Tea at Unilever UK said:

“With two thirds of the population having experienced loneliness in the last year, there are at least 9 million people feeling lonely on any given day and we will all experience it at some point in our lives. We want everyone to feel open in talking about loneliness and that is why PG tips is proud to support Samaritans Brew Monday and together we’re encouraging the nation to reach out to anyone who might be affected by the issue.”

Samaritans volunteers will be providing free PG tips teabags to commuters passing through train stations across the country on Monday January 20th.

The charity and Government ministers are promoting the message that passengers too can help by just offering a friendly conversation, an opportunity to chat, which might be all the difference between suicide and being saved.

To avoid rail suicides they are urging people to trust their instincts and help those in need. Official figures show there were nearly 2,000 lifesaving interventions on the railways last year, meaning that six people were saved for every one that took their own life through suicide.

This is first in a series of activities PG tips are supporting in 2020 via partnerships with Samaritans, Time to Change and The Big Lunch. The brand has also launched a national advertising campaign to encourage the nation to get together over a cup of tea which can be viewed at www.youtube.com/pgtipsofficial

To sign up for a free Brew Monday fundraising pack, visit https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/brew-monday

You can join the conversation on social media using #BrewMonday and why not make a donation while you’re there, you could help save a life.

Source: Samaritans / unionsafety / CWU