Calls to Samaritans increase

The number of calls received by the Samaritans has risen by 13,000 in the last 12 months.

The increase could be partly attributed to the effects of the recession, the charity's director, Suzanne Costello, said today.

Samaritans Ireland Impact Report November 2009 - October 2010  was unveiled by Minister of State for Mental Health John Moloney. It found calls to the helpline were more "intense" than in previous years, and there was an increase in the numbers relating to recession stress, from one in ten in 2009 to one in eight in the last 12 months.

The average number of calls received by the charity's 24 hour help line every day was 669, and its busiest day of the week was Saturday. The quietest times for the charity were, on average, Tuesdays between 4am and 5am.

The organisation has been operating in Ireland for 50 years and provides a 24-hour, help line with over 1,300 volunteers. Common concerns of callers to the help line included relationship problems, fear of unemployment, anxiety about the future, depression, alcoholism, loneliness and self harm.

Some 60 per cent of calls were made to the helpline, 1850-609090, from mobile phones.

The charity had experienced an increasing shift away from landline calls, the report said, and was concerned about the added charges; 33 cent per mobile call, regardless of duration, compared to six cent for a landline of any duration.

The charity said it was working to secure the implementation of a free-to-caller number as recommended by the European Commission.

Ms Costello said many callers were experiencing relationship difficulties, which were exacerbated by financial stresses.

"Fear of unemployment, self-harm and anxiety about the future were also common reasons for calls," she said. She said the increase in numbers could be partly attributed to the recession.

Speaking today, Mr Moloney thanked the charity for the "huge contribution" it was making. He said it had stepped in when mental health wasn't an issue in Ireland. He said at a time of huge economic stress there were high levels of stress.

"Never were the Samaritans more needed," the Minister said.