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Samaritans volunteers in Ireland answered a call for help every 56 seconds throughout 2020, new figures released by the charity show.
Volunteers also listened for more than 100,000 hours during the first year of the pandemic, according to the Samaritans Ireland Impact Report for 2020.
The report also said that the Covid-19 pandemic was the most serious challenge ever faced by the Samaritans.
Other figures from the report show that 2,300 people from both sides of the Border volunteered with the Samaritans last year.
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Over 560,000 calls and emails were answered, and the service remained open 24/7 despite 40 per cent of volunteers cocooning at one stage.
Every day, volunteers answer 1,500 calls for help, and each phone call lasted an average of 11 minutes. The busiest time was 6pm to 10pm.
The was a 400 per cent increase in calls from prison inmates, which mainly related to increased stress levels, worry about family, isolation and coronavirus.
The charity also extended its helpline to include Irish diaspora living in Australia and Canada.
“Coronavirus has undoubtedly been the most serious challenge Samaritans has faced in our 60 years in Ireland, but we know we are needed now more than ever,” said Niall Mulligan, Executive Director for Samaritans Ireland.
Pandemic anxiety
Loneliness and isolation were the main reasons why people called the Samaritans last year, according to Mr Mulligan.
The charity also supported people experiencing a mental health crisis or family and relationship issues.
Many people rang the helpline because they had lost their job or were experiencing financial insecurity.
A lot of callers were bereaved, or had anxiety over the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Mulligan also extended his thanks to all Samaritans staff and volunteers, many of whom signed up to extra shifts to keep the service going.
He also thanked supporters, who donated to the charity throughout the year.
Speaking to The Irish Times, Mr Mulligan said he suspected that the full mental health impacts of the pandemic are only beginning to be felt. “There are quite a lot of unknowns... we know the impact that recessions have had on people’s mental health, especially high unemployment and poverty.”
Covid became a regular part of most calls, and at one stage during the pandemic, Covid was spoken about in one in three calls, according to Mr Mulligan.
“There was also a change in duration of the calls. People wanted to speak for longer, just for reassurance.”
Inequalities which were present before Covid still exist, added Mr Mulligan, and they will become more pronounced as we emerge from the pandemic.
He believes this in turn will have an impact on vulnerable people’s health.
‘Marginalised people’
“The impact on marginalised people in society, such as Travellers, or people experiencing rural isolation, I suspect this is going to be a key challenge for organisations like ours into the future.”
Rory Fitzgerald, Regional Director of Samaritans in the Republic of Ireland, said it was important for people to take care of their mental health as restrictions ease.
“The pandemic’s challenges are continuing and won’t immediately ease off with restrictions lifting. Therefore, it’s vitally important we do everything we can to help anyone who needs support,” he said.
“Taking the time to enjoy your favourite activities, whatever they are - something easy and every day, or something more strenuous or creative - can be great ways to spread hope and look after your mental wellbeing.”
This Friday is World Suicide Prevention Day.
According to statistics in the Samaritans Impact Report, 209 people died by suicide in Northern Ireland in 2019.
In 2018, 437 people died by suicide in the Republic of Ireland, which are the latest statistics available.
In 2018, there were over 21,500 self-harm presentations to hospitals across Ireland.
Samaritans can be contacted for free on the 24/7 phone helpline 116 123, or people can email jo@samaritans.ie or visit samaritans.ie.