'I see so many young people suffering with their mental health - while they're on waiting lists'

There are many reasons why someone might want to volunteer for Samaritans, but for Phillipa McConville the moment came during Covid. Student support officer Phillipa shared how she had wanted to make sure people had 'someone to talk to' during the isolating experience of lockdown.

And while lockdowns are now a distant memory for many people, Phillipa has continued to volunteer for Samaritans to this day. Now, she talks about what it is like volunteering, and urges other people to get involved.

Phillipa first started volunteering with the police, before she moved over to the Samaritans.

READ MORE: 'I didn't know what to do when someone needed my help. I never want to be in that position again'

Speaking about why she decided to become a volunteer, she told the Manchester Evening News: "We were all going through a difficult time at that time [during covid]. I'm very passionate about mental health, and I'm very passionate that people should have someone to talk to about it."

How to access support if you need it

If this piece has affected you and you want to talk to someone, there are helplines and support groups available, many of them 24/7.

The NHS Choices website lists the following helplines and support networks for people to talk to.

• Samaritans (116 123 in UK and Ireland) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you're feeling, or if you're worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
• Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won't show up on your phone bill.
• PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
• Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity based in England providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
• Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts.
• Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying.

Phillipa shared that she has been left frustrated by the lack of access to mental health support. She said: "You see so many young people suffering with mental health, and they're all on waiting lists."

While Phillipa finds her volunteering very rewarding, the nature of it means that there are challenging aspects.

She said: "Some of the calls are difficult. Someone might want to take their own life."

Phillipa explained that there is training and support in place if a volunteer has a particularly difficult call with someone who needs help. She said: "The training enables you to have that conversation.

"You're never on shift on your own, you're always with another person. They will be a fully trained member of staff.

"You've got your fellow listeners that you can talk to after a call. At the end of your shift you ring your manager and you can debrief."

Sometimes there will be a call which Phillipa says you 'can't leave at the door'. Phillipa explained what happens in those circumstances: "If you take a really tricky call and think 'I can't leave this at the door', they will arrange to ring you after a couple of days. You will get a call in a couple of days to see how you feel.

"You might say 'I'm okay now', or you might say 'I'm struggling with this one'. You then get a call with the support team.

"At the end of the call we don't have anyone's personal details, but you might log that it was a suicide call. You're always able to talk about it."

She added: "I know this sounds a bit cheesy, but it's like a little family. It's one of those things where you go and you know that person's got you. That reassurance all the time."

Phillipa also urged anyone who is considering it to volunteer with the Samaritans to get involved.

"I would say it's a great opportunity," she said. "Not only are you giving to others but I'm helping myself. It helps me in my day job as a student support officer.

"It's a great experience, I'm proud to be involved. I work full time all week, I went home last night and I got a couple of hours and then I went on shift.

"It's commitment, but you find ways. I believe that if you want to do something you will find a way to do it somehow."

In particular, Phillipa stressed that the service needs people during the night time and early hours of the morning. She said: "Those night time calls are definitely different, definitely challenging and people need someone to talk to in those early hours of the morning."

She added: "There's people in emotional distress or who want to self harm. It distracts them. They're able to carry on, go back to bed, get a warm drink.

"Sometimes people just need that reassurance that they're not on their own. With Samaritans that's what we're there for."

If you would like to know more about becoming a Samaritans volunteer you can find out more information here.

If you need to talk to someone you can call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. The Samaritans number will not appear on your phone bill.