Valentine's Day Broken Hearts

Part of The Samaritans Y2K Youth Matters campaign

Almost one in ten people aged under 25 years have negative feelings towards Valentine's Day according to a MORI poll commissioned by The Samaritans. The Samaritans today (February 14th) launch an awareness drive focusing on getting young people to open up about their relationship problems.

Young people who attempt suicide say relationship difficulty is a major factor in their wish to die. A survey of people who have called The Samaritans shows that relationship problems cause more stress, worry or depression than any other factor in people's lives.

The campaign is supported by Emmerdale star, Adele Silva who plays "Kelly", a teenager who recently attempted suicide as a result of family and relationship problems.

The MORI poll commissioned by The Samaritans on attitudes to Valentine's Day, shows that February 14th can put pressure on both single people and those in relationships and can cause feelings of depression and insecurity. The survey also revealed that men are more likely than women to feel pressurised by their partner into celebrating Valentine's Day.

Key Findings:

• Almost one in ten people aged under 25 years feel depressed, insecure, inadequate or unwanted on Valentine's Day, while over one in four people in this age group feel indifferent to the hype
• Over two-fifths of single people feel negative or indifferent towards Valentine's Day (around 10 million people based on the adult population of 46 million)
• Over a third of women feel indifferent to Valentine's Day
• Four times as many men as women feel pressurised by their partner into giving a card or gift on Valentines Day
• About one in ten people have never sent a Valentine's Day card or gift
• One in five people send Valentine's Day cards to friends and members of their family to make them feel good about themselves

Other features of the campaign include:

• The premiere of Anthony Minghella's new film, The Talented Mr Ripley on Valentine's Day raised a substantial amount of money all donated to The Samaritans
• Posters featuring 48 sheet love hearts with captions such as "Get Lost", "It's Over" and "No Chance". Postcards available in cinemas round the country.

Paul Gauntlett, external relations director of The Samaritans said: "Two people aged under 25 years die by suicide every day and every 30 minutes a young person self harms. Tragically, these statistics are just the tip of the iceberg. The Samaritans listens to young people in serious crisis over relationship problems every day. Without vital support from Samaritan volunteers 24 hours a day, more young people's despair would go unheard."

Paul Gauntlett added: "Valentine's Day is not just about couples, it's a chance for everyone to tell someone close to them that they care. The Samaritans urge people not to bottle up relationship problems on Valentine's Day but talk to a friend or perhaps a Samaritan if they're in crisis."

Adele Silva, who plays "Kelly" in Emmerdale said: "Kelly thought she was too tough to ask for help and it nearly cost her life. That was TV. But in real life two people under 25 years old die every day from suicide attempts. The Samaritans could have helped those people, but only if they call. Make sure someone you know isn't suffering in silence on Valentine's Day, support The Samaritans campaign and tell someone you care."

Technical details

MORI interviewed a representative quota sample of 2,078 adults aged 15+ in 153 sampling points throughout Great Britain. Fieldwork was conducted from 20-24 January 2000. All interviews were conducted face-to-face in-home using CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing). Data has been weighted to the known profile of the British population.

The Samaritans is a registered charity, founded in 1953, which provides confidential and emotional support to people in crisis. The Samaritans' vision is that fewer people will take their own lives because Samaritan befriending is available, at any hour of the day or night for everyone passing through personal crisis and at risk of dying. The Samaritans provide society with a better understanding of suicide, suicidal behaviour and the value of expressing feelings that may lead to suicide.

Across the UK, you can call The Samaritans on 0345-90 90 90 (1850-60 90 90 in the Republic of Ireland) for the price of a local call. You can also write to The Samaritans at Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA, send an e-mail to [email protected] or use the single national textphone number 08457-90 91 92 (1850-60 90 91 in the Republic of Ireland)