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NewsTranscript
00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:04 Samartans is a mental health charity
00:06 that provides emotional support to all kinds of people
00:09 across the Aitken Island.
00:11 It's staffed by well-trained, compassionate volunteers who
00:15 are always waiting around the clock to take a call, an email,
00:18 or web chat from someone in need.
00:20 Hello, Samartans.
00:21 Can I help you?
00:23 Tell me how you're feeling.
00:25 So we listen without judgment and help
00:27 you explore how you're feeling in that moment.
00:30 We get that it takes a lot of courage to pick up the phone
00:33 and call or live chat us.
00:36 We're just there to sit alongside you
00:38 when it feels like the world is closing in.
00:40 And we'll hold a space for you to make sure
00:41 that you can start to work through how you're feeling.
00:45 We're contacted by people of all ages, including young people.
00:49 If you think about it, that time in your life
00:50 is all about exploring who you want to be,
00:54 what you want to become, what you want to keep,
00:56 and what you want to leave behind.
00:57 And that can bring a whole lot of stress.
01:01 The key issues that we see reappearing frequently
01:03 are exam stress, relationships with friends,
01:07 relationships with family, and sexuality or gender.
01:11 But you can literally talk to us about anything,
01:13 and we're always there to listen.
01:15 As well as providing support to our callers,
01:17 branches are actively involved in services
01:20 such as prison outreach or in-person support
01:23 at different types of festivals.
01:25 I was also privileged to be involved in outreach
01:27 to local schools and higher education,
01:30 encouraging our young people to seek help
01:32 and talk openly about their mental health.
01:34 You really don't need to be in dire straits
01:38 or planning to end your life to get in touch.
01:40 We're there to offer a lifeline
01:41 before it gets to that stage.
01:43 During those times when you just need space to breathe
01:46 and room to explore how you're feeling,
01:48 Smartens will be there to offer non-judgmental support.
01:51 (upbeat music)
01:53 (upbeat music)
01:56 [MUSIC]