Hundreds contact Samaritans over festive period

The Samaritans have just released figures which show that more than 1,000 people in Northern Ireland called their helpline over the Christmas and New Year period.

Helpline figures from the charity, which provides emotional and confidential support for people in crisis, show 978 people called The Samaritans for support on Christmas week alone, with many more calls coming on local branch lines.

The Samaritans Branches in the province reported overall figures of up to 12 per cent extra calls over November with the busiest periods in December running parallel to stressful key events like Christmas and New Year.

With Christmas still the busiest time, The Samaritans’ report shows that there is no single issue that emerges more than any other, with relationship problems, loneliness and money worries featuring among a host of different reasons why people call.

Figures also noted that those in the province most prone to suicide, men aged approximately 15-35, now appear to call The Samaritans more frequently.

Surveys on the prevalence of stress and depression, carried out in the UK and Ireland before Christmas, indicated that approximately six out of 10 people felt stressed or depressed during the festive and New Year period.

The Samaritans is a registered charity, founded in 1953, and the first Northern Ireland Branch opened in 1961. The service in Northern Ireland is offered by 690 trained volunteers in eight Branches and is entirely dependent on voluntary support. Across Northern Ireland, you can call The Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 for the price of a local call or send an e-mail via www.samaritans.org. (AMcE)