Samaritans staying open as calls peak for Christmas

Galwegians experiencing feelings of distress or despair this Christmas – including feelings that would lead to suicide – have been urged to contact the Galway Samaritans.

Galway Samaritans’ helpline will be manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week over the Christmas season, as it is all year, including on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Last year, December 18 was the busiest day of the year for calls made to the Samaritans, as the stresses and strains of life are exaggerated in the lead-in to one of the most stressful times of the year – Christmas.

“A lot of people just don’t like Christmas for whatever reason,” explained Patricia Hynes, Galway Samaritans PRO.

She said pressures such as financial difficulties can be heightened at Christmastime, and relationships can become strained at this time of year, leading to stress and anxiety.

Marital, financial and relationship problems are all heightened at Christmas as there is a ‘pressure’ in society to conform to ‘norms’.

“Things can get on top of people at this time of year. There is also a lot of loneliness at Christmas. Even if people are surrounded by family, it can still be a very lonely time of year. We’re open all the time, 24/7, including Christmas Day and we’re here whenever people are ready to talk,” said Ms Hynes.

Galway Samaritans is staffed by up to 100 unpaid volunteers at any one time.

If you want to talk, contact the Samaritans by email on jo@samaritans.org; by text on 087 2609090; on their lo-call number 1850 609090; on their local landline on 091 561222; or just drop in to the office for a cup of tea and a chat at 14 Nuns’ Island.

It is a completely anonymous service.