Samaritans Ireland

Volunteers have listened to caller concerns for almost 73,000 hours since Covid crisis

Organisation provides ‘beacon of hope’ for those experiencing deep emotional distress or suicidal ideation, says Michael D Higgins

Agencies are funded mainly by the State, but expanding payrolls are burning up that money

Services and staff expected to be taken over by other suicide prevention agencies

Suicide prevention charity may be wound down following financial scandal

At the Samaritans office in Dublin, the team talk about why people ring them, how they help those in distress, and those dreaded calls when the line goes dead

Charity says callers starting to see contact as first port of call rather than last resort

In the homeless population, having a mental health condition and an addiction problem is the norm rather than the exception and suicidality is highly prevalent

Family and friends advised to be extra vigilant over coming days

‘Change in emotional landscape’ reflected in fall in total number of calls received

The destructive voices in Michelle Dalton’s head resulted in her being admitted to hospital as a teenager. She now supports others in distress