PRESS RELEASE

SAMARITANS SURVEY: EAST MIDLANDS ARE FAR LESS WORRIED ABOUT POLITICS

Friday 14December 2012

- UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 00.01 hours Thursday 20 DECEMBER –

Today, people in the East Midlands are far less concerned about domestic politics and international affairs than a year ago, according to Samaritans’ annual worries survey 2012.

An exclusive YouGov poll for Samaritans shows that only 17 per cent of respondents are most worried about domestic politics or the current government, compared with 29 per cent a year ago. A mere 14 per cent had similar concerns about world affairs, a fall from 25 per cent in December 2011.

The poll of more than 2,000 people was conducted on Wednesday 28 November, the day before the Leveson report was published and the vote on Palestine was taken at the United Nations – regarded by the media astwo of the biggest stories of the year.

Those who placed money and debt in their top five roseslightly from 48 per cent in 2011 to 51 per cent this year, just above the national average (49 per cent). Conversely, worries about job security have fallen from 27 to 22 per cent. And the number of calls received by Samaritans’ helpline linked to financial stress have also fallen from one in five calls in 2011 to one in six calls this year*.

Of those surveyed, 22per cent of respondents thought that 2012 was a good year or the best year ever, compared with only 16 per cent in 2011.

However, years of worry over money and debt seems to have taken a toll on the region’s concerns about problems with families, friends and relationships. Those most worried about this area have risen from 33 per cent in 2011 to 38 per cent today. There has also been a rise in expressed concerns over physical health, up from 32 per cent a year ago to 35 per cent now.

A new question, asking how people dealt with their concerns in 2012, found that 47 per cent of those who had worries would choose to talk about their problems, a higher figure than any other part of the country, and 23 per cent preferred just to “grin and bear it”, the lowest figure in the country.

A further 30 per cent would have a social drink, while 15 per cent would rely on prescription drugs, higher than any other region except Northern Ireland (21 per cent).Finally 4 per cent would take recreational drugs, the highest figure in England and Wales, although behind Scotland (5 per cent) and Northern Ireland (6 per cent).

Catherine Johnstone, Samaritans Chief Executive said:

“The slight lessening of worries about job security is positive, however, it’s clear thatpeople in the East Midlands are becoming more concerned about family issues. As the nation’s listening ear, we’d like to remind people struggling to cope, that Samaritans will continue to be there for anybody who needs someone to listen to them.”

-ENDS-

For further information about the survey or to set up interviews please contact Guy Roberts in Samaritans’ press office, on 020 8394 8348 or email

For a further breakdown of results of the Samaritans worries survey 2012, please click here

Notes to editors:

*These figures are based on a survey of calls to six Samaritans’ branches received during a week from 5th November – 11th November 2012. This survey has been done annually since 2008.

  • All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2162 adults of whom 165 were from the East Midlands. Fieldwork was undertaken between 28th and 30th November 2012. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
  • A similar survey was also conducted in 2011. Total sample size was 2146 adults, of whom 154 were from the East Midlands. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29th November and 1st December 2011. The survey was carried out online. The figures were weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+). Similar surveys took place in 2009 and 2010.
  • Samaritans is part of Call to Action, a network of 50 organisations dedicated to preventing suicide: Call to Action
  • Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide. People contact Samaritans when they are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to. More than 20,000 Samaritans’ volunteers are available round the clock, every day of the year. The helpline provides a safe place to talk and all conversations are private.
  • To contact Samaritans call 08457 90 90 90, email , or visit to find your nearest branch.