THIS July Salisbury and District Samaritans is telling people to “shush and listen”.

It is part of the charity’s awareness campaign, Talk to Us, which aims to improve listening skills.

A spokesman for the branch said: “We listen. That’s what we’re here to do when people contact us, and sometimes it can be really challenging.

But you don’t have to be a Samaritan to be a good listener.

We’re a culture of people who love to give advice, love to give opinions and quite frankly love the sound of our own voices.

“But this year we’re asking people all over the country to shush and listen better to each other. Sixty years of Samaritans’ expertise has taught us that just listening is the greatest gift you can give to somebody, and that it can save lives.”

Samaritans aim to bring down the high numbers of suicides in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. It wants to encourage people to ask for help early if they are struggling rather than waiting until they reach a crisis.

The charity has released the following listening tips: n Show you care, focus just on the other person, make eye contact, put away your phone n Have patience, it may take time and several attempts before a person is ready to open up n Use open questions that need more than a yes/no answer The charity says every six seconds someone in the UK and Ireland contacts Samaritans, and every 90 minutes someone takes their own life.

Samaritans CEO Ruth Sutherland added: “Being listened to gives you a voice, and the courage to say what’s really on your mind.

“Saying your problems out loud is therapeutic in itself and being listened to has the power to make you feel understood, and that you matter.

“We can all be better listeners.

“So many family, work, relationship and even mental health issues are made worse when a person feels they aren’t being listened to.

Which is why we’re saying shush and listen.”

For more information about Samaritans, go to samaritans.org