A GROUP dedicated to helping depressed and suicidal people in Hampshire have moved to bigger and better premises.

Callers to the Samaritans will now enjoy a more comfortable environment at the new centre in College Road, Southampton.

Volunteers will also benefit from improved training facilities. The move coincides with the release of a MORI poll commissioned for Samaritans Week which shows one in five people experience stress on a daily basis.

Britons are smoking, drinking and 'slobbing out' to escape problems rather than dealing with them, the Stressed Out survey concludes.

According to research the biggest causes of stress are jobs, money, family and health.

Half of the people who experience high daily stress levels suffer depression and an eighth feel they have nowhere to turn.

Steve Rawlins, Samaritans Southampton said: "We would urge people to try to deal with stress as positively as they can rather than ignoring it, or turning to alcohol or smoking.

"If feelings are bottled up or ignored, they can lead to more severe emotional distress in the long run. Ultimately, by talking about problems it's possible to gain a sense of perspective that can make it easier to cope. During Samaritans Week, and every week, we are here 24 hours a day for everyone, everywhere."

Callers at the new centre are welcome from 10am - 10pm.

Anyone not wishing or unable to visit in person can call 24 hours a day on 08457 909090 write to Chris at PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA or e-mail Jo at jo@samaritans.org.