MORE men than ever are seeking help from Bolton Samaritans as the listening charity deals with an increasing numbers of calls.

Figures just compiled show that the Bark Street East-based organisation dealt with 17,000 calls last year - 500 more than the previous year.

But the balance of male and female callers seeking someone to talk to about their problems has shifted with, for the first time, Bolton Samaritans helping as many men last year as women.

"Traditionally the number of calls we have dealt with have been heavily weighted from women," said spokeswoman Colleen.

"But last year for the first time we have seen a 50/50 split, which means that more men are beginning to talk." However, with statistics proving that most suicides are among young men, the organisation is concerned that only about 10pc of their calls are from young people.

"We are still not reaching enough of them," said Colleen.

She added that Samaritans are also noticing a rise in the number of people suffering and desperate due to redundancy or job insecurity.

"It isn't so much these days whether you enjoy your job. It is whether an you hang onto it," said Colleen.

"People feel the pressures even if their job is fairly secure and those pressures can be very hard to talk about with family or colleagues.

Worries

"With the pressures of modern life, people feel they have to put on a very self-assured front."

She stressed that the Samaritans are not just there for people who are on the brink of suicide and someone is always available to listen to anyone's worries.

"Nothing in our eyes is trivial or small. If it worries you, it is important," said Colleen. She stressed that all conversations are confidential.

Anyone who needs to talk can contact Bolton Samaritans on Bolton 521200 or 0345 909090.

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