Samaritans’ volunteers are bracing themselves for a deluge of calls in December with more than 35,000 made to them this month last year.
Loneliness and isolation accounted for 38% of those calls.
High on the list of calls also were people worried about mental health, family issues and Covid.
Samaritans is the only all island 24-hour emotional support freephone helpline, answering over half a million calls a year.
Figures show more than 3,200 calls and emails were answered by volunteers over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day.
Niall Mulligan, executive director for Samaritans Ireland, said supporting Samaritans this Christmas will help bring light to someone on their darkest day.
The charity is also calling on landmarks and buildings across the country to light up in green on Tuesday, December 21st, for Samaritans’ Longest Night.
The public can call Samaritans throughout the festive season on freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie
