SAMARITANS are bracing themselves for a flood of calls from teenagers in East Lancashire as the exam season gets underway.

Exam stress is one of the biggest worries among youngsters who threaten to turn to suicide because they can't cope.

Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Samaritans receive dozens of calls annually from students at exam time.

Branch director, Annette, said: "Their main concern is that they think their parents will 'kill them' if they don't do well.

"They think they are under tremendous strain to perform well and have nobody to turn to for support.

"It's vital that young people are made aware that we are here to listen to them."

Bullying is also a problem in East Lancashire with youngsters saying they can no longer face school life because of threats made to them. And a report launched this week, Samaritan's Week, says 37 per cent of young people think depressed people should pull themselves together.

It says: "Since adolescence and young adulthood is accepted as a time of emotional upheaval, young people's feelings are often not taken seriously by older adults.

"Of even more concern is that young people themselves show less tolerant and more unsympathetic attitudes to depressed people."

The charity is also looking for volunteers to help them take calls.

Annette added: "Anyone from the age of 17 who is sympathetic and is a good listener would be more than welcome to join us."

The Samaritans can be reached 24 hours a day on 01254 662424.

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