PRESS RELEASE

SAMARITANS SURVEY: WEST MIDLANDS PEOPLE FAR LESS WORRIED ABOUT MONEY AND POLITICS

Friday 14 December 2012

- UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 00.01 hours Thursday 20 DECEMBER –

People in the West Midlands are far less concerned about money and domestic politicsthan a year ago, according to Samaritans’ annual worries survey 2012.

An exclusive YouGov survey for Samaritans shows that those placing financial concerns in their top five fell from 56 per cent in 2011 to 46 per cent this year. This reduction ties in with the number of calls received by Samaritans’ helpline about financial stress, which have fallen from one in five calls in 2011 to one in six calls this year*. However, worries about job security have risen from 22 to 26 per cent.

Only 19 per cent of respondents are most worried about domestic politics and the current government, a 12 per cent fall from last year’s figure of 31 per cent. There was also a smaller fall in those worrying about international affairs, down from 24 per cent in 2011 to 21 per cent this year.

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.

This lessening of worries over money was further confirmed by the finding that 24per cent of respondents thought that 2012 was a good or the best year ever, compared with only 11% per cent who thought the same thing 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 24 per cent in 2011 to 37 per cent today. There has also been a rise in expressed concerns over physical health, up from 31 per cent a year ago to 36 per cent now.

A new question, asking how people deal with their worries, found that 38 per cent of those who had worries in 2012would choose to talk about their problems, nine per cent fewer than in the East Midlands, and 30 per cent preferred just to “grin and bear it”, seven per cent higher than in the East Midlands.

A further 21 per cent would have a social drink, while 12 per cent would rely on prescription drugs.A break or a holiday would be the choice of 30 per cent, the highest figure in the country, along with Yorkshire and Northern Ireland.

Catherine Johnstone, Samaritans Chief Executive said:

“The lessening of worries about money is positive, however, it’s clear thatpeople in the West 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 181 were from the West 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 153 were from the West 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.