Newbridge Samaritan volunteers answered 27,500 calls in 2021

Samaritans volunteers answered almost 1,000 calls a day last year as people continued to struggle with the impact of COVID and the lifting of restrictions, annual figures show.

On a local level, Judy Murphy, the interim Director of Newbridge and Kildare Samaritans, said “Newbridge answered approximately 27,500 calls in 2021 which added up to almost 5,000 hours on the phones.

“We currently have 65 listening volunteers in our local branch who dedicate their time and efforts in supporting individuals struggling to cope, feeling isolated or even in a moment of crisis.”

“I am immensely proud of every single one of out volunteers for what they do,” she said. “We are always looking for new volunteers to join us . I ask anyone who is interested in volunteering with us to register on: www.samaritans.org/ireland

/support-us/volunteer/.

“Our next recruitment will start in th new year with training thereafter.”

The Samaritans Ireland Impact Report for 2021, was launched by Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler in November.

Helpline

It showed volunteers spent almost 70,000 hours on the phone giving support to callers. Samaritans is the only 24-hour emotional support helpline which covers the island of Ireland, with over 2,000 volunteers in 21 branches nationwide (13 in the Republic of Ireland and eight in Norther Ireland).

Executive Director for Samaritans Ireland, Niall Mulligan said the pandemic had a profound effect on people’s emotional well being and highlighted the importance of human connection.

“During the year, one in five calls for help to Samaritans was from someone worried about the impact of the pandemic, and over a third of callers felt isolated or lonely. Others faced new anxieties as restrictions were lifted,” he said.

“As an organisation we were challenged by the continuation of the pandemic and ongoing restrictions, however our amazing volunteers ensured that we were available to talk to our callers and provide them with emotional support.

“Their resilience, determination, and undeterred passion for our work shone through and their level of commitment made sure our freephone helpline number, 116 123, remained open 24 hours a day, seven days a week despite the challenges of the past few years. For that we thank them.”

Volunteers answered almost half a million contacts, answering a call for help every 64 seconds.

Mental health

The most frequently raised concerns related to mental health or illness (40%), isolation and loneliness (35%), family (32%), relationship problems (20%), and COVID (20%). Multiple issues can be raised in one call)

A third of all calls were answered between 6pm and midnight.

A call needing emotional support lasted an average 33 minutes.

Over 19,000 calls were taken from prisoners in Irish prisons while 150 new volunteers completed training.

Minister Butler paid tribute to the commitment of Samaritans volunteers.

“I am delighted to launch Samaritans Ireland’s Impact Report which shows volunteers answered almost half a million calls and emails last year, with volunteers supporting others who were living in isolation or struggling to cope,” she said.

“The scope of Samaritans work in this report clearly shows the support it had given to some of the most marginalised in society, through training, awareness and emotional support.

“I want to thank the volunteers for being there for others during their darkest hours.”