Drogheda Samaritans play major role in supporting nation’s mental health
Volunteers in Drogheda Samaritans played a major in supporting the nation’s mental health last year as figure show calls to the helpline rose.
The Samaritans Ireland Impact Report for 2022 was launched in Dublin last week (4th October) by Minister for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD.
Volunteers from Drogheda Samaritans attended the launch where they met several local politicians including: Deputies Fergus O’Dowd, Ged Nash, Imelda Munster, Ruairi O Murchu, Johnny Guirke and Senator Erin McGreehan.
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4th October 2023; Deputy Johnny Guirke with volunteers from the Drogheda and North East Samaritans. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / Julien Behal Photography Photo by Damien EagersImage 2 of 5
4th October 2023; Deputy Fergus O’Dowd with volunteers from the Drogheda and North East Samaritans. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / Julien Behal Photography Photo by Damien EagersImage 3 of 5
4th October 2023; Sentor, Erin McGreehan, with volunteers with the Drogheda and North East Samaritans. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / Julien Behal Photography Photo by Damien EagersImage 4 of 5
4th October 2023; Deputy Ruairi O Murchu, with volunteers from the Drogheda and North East Samaritans. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / Julien Behal Photography Photo by Damien EagersImage 5 of 5
4th October 2023; Deputy Ged Nash, with volunteers from the Drogheda and North East Samaritans. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / Julien Behal Photography Photo by Damien EagersSamaritans is the only 24-hour emotional support helpline that covers the island of Ireland. Volunteers from Drogheda are among the 2,000 strong volunteers who answer the freephone number 116 123 and email jo@samaritans.ie. They answered over half a million calls for help last year – that’s approximately 1,000 calls a day last year, up 10% on 2021. Drogheda Samaritans answered, on average 2,000 calls per month from March- September 2023. They also replied to 681 emails during that period.
Volunteer Branch Director of Drogheda Samaritans, Margaret Fahey, thanked all the local representatives who took the time to meet volunteers following the launch.
She said: “The rise in calls answered by volunteers shows the continued need for our services and the impact they are making in providing emotional support to those in distress. We are focused on being there when people need us most.
“It has been a challenging time, but we are proud to say that Samaritans successfully provided essential support to those in need, 24 hours a day.
“Our volunteers remain at the heart of our service, and we cannot thank them enough for their ongoing dedication to our callers. We are always looking for volunteers and urge anyone who would like to know more about volunteering with Samaritans to visit www.samaritans.ie/volunteer.
“Together, we will continue to make a lasting impact and provide a lifeline to those in need.”
The report was launched during World Mental Health Month, which aims to raise awareness of mental health issues worldwide. Samaritans urged anyone in need of support to call freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie
The 2022 Impact Report showed:
Over half a million calls were answered across Ireland (400,000 in RoI and 100,000 in NI).
The most frequently raised concerns related to mental health or illness (42%), isolation and loneliness (34%), family (30%), relationship problems (20%). (Multiple issues can be raised in one call)
A call needing emotional support lasted an average 26 minutes.