PRESS RELEASE

SAMARITANS SURVEY: SOUTH EAST LESS WORRIED ABOUT POLITICS THAN REST OF UK

Friday 14 December 2012

- UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 00.01 hours Thursday 20 DECEMBER –

People in the South East are less concerned about politics and the current government than anywhere else in the country according to Samaritans’ annual worries survey 2012.

An exclusive YouGov survey for Samaritans shows that only 14 per cent put politics in their top five worries. This compares with a regional figure of 28 per cent last year. There was a smaller fall in those about world affairs, down from 28 per cent in 2011 to just 18 per cent now.

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 most concerned about money were at 45 per cent, the same as last year. This compares with a national average of 49 per cent. However, 32 per cent felt that 2012 had been a good or the best ever - the highest figure in the country.

A new question, asking how people deal with their worries, found that 32 per cent of those who had worries in 2012 would choose to talk about their problems, while 37 per cent preferred just to “grin and bear it”, the highest figure in the country along with the South West.

A further 22 per cent would have a social drink, lower than the majority of regions, while just nine per cent would rely on prescription drugs, lower than anywhere else except for the North East (two per cent) and North West (seven per cent).

Catherine Johnstone, Samaritans Chief Executive said:

“It’s worrying that more a third of people in the South East would do nothing to deal with the issues that are worrying them. Sometimes it can be difficult to turn to your friends and family, but talking can help you to see your situation in a different light and find your way forward. 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 295 were from the South East. 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 291 were from the South East. 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.