Be compassionate, take responsibility for each other

Sometimes, even a brief connection with a stranger, a free hug and a kind word can make all the difference in life. — Filepic

“If I can make a difference simply by offering a hug, it could make a big difference to someone’s life when needed the most.” These are the words of a young man from my home town in Scotland, who started a kindness campaign of giving out free hugs to help raise awareness of suicide prevention.

After the story was picked up by my old newspaper, the Irvine Herald, it gained national attention due to the positive response from many people who warmly welcomed the novel campaign.