Samaritans provides a 24-hour helpline, text and email service for people who are in distress, struggling to cope and who are in need of emotional support, including those who are feeling suicidal. Samaritans vision is that fewer people die by suicide and we do that by making sure there’s someone there for anyone who needs us, when they need us, how they need us.
Over the last five years, Samaritans volunteers in RoI have answered three million calls for help through its 24-hour freephone helpline 116 123. We also supported thousands more through email, SMS, letter and face to face.
One of our key messages is that you don’t have to be suicidal to contact Samaritans. People call us for many different reasons including relationship problems, financial worries, stress, anxiety, mental health, and health issues. Loneliness and isolation account for 1 in 3 contacts.
Samaritans staff and volunteers want to encourage, promote and celebrate those moments of connection between people that can protect and even save lives. To do this, we work in schools, prisons, workplaces and communities, and in partnership with organisations like Irish Rail, to reach those most in need.