Samaritans in Ireland answer 5 Million calls during 10 years of freephone

Some 700,000 hours of support have been offered by Samaritans volunteers, who ensure the helpline remains open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Sarah O’Toole, Executive Director of Samaritans Ireland, said while volunteers have supported people in Ireland for over 50 years, the introduction of freephone in 2014 was a major milestone.

Samaritans Ireland has also announced that six major telecoms providers – BT Ireland, eir, Sky Ireland, Three Ireland, Virgin Media Ireland and Vodafone Ireland – which cover the cost of the calls, have extended their partnership for another five years and agreed to support the helpline until 2029.

Ms O’Toole said: “We are extremely grateful that the telecoms companies, who are all members of the Ibec group Telecommunications Industry Ireland, have renewed their commitment to fund calls to our freephone helpline 116 123 for another five years.

“That support means thousands of people who call the Samaritans helpline every year can be confident calls from any phone won’t cost anything.”

JD Buckley, Chief Executive of Sky Ireland and Chair of Telecommunications Industry Ireland, said the industry was proud to support Samaritans and its callers.

“Samaritans provides a unique service, being available 24 hours a day to support people in need when they need it most. Each member involved is delighted to continue this support and fund the cost of the calls to the Samaritans freephone number,” he added.

Minister of State Ossian Smyth attended the 10-year celebration with Samaritans volunteers in Ibec.

He said: "Samaritans provides a very valuable service to vulnerable people across the country and it is tremendous that Ireland’s telecoms industry is playing a key role in that. I am delighted that all major providers have agreed to continue supporting Samaritans and the vital work that they do. This agreement will mean that there will be no cost barrier to anyone who may need to call Samaritans over the next five years.”

Together we're saving lives - Samaritans Ireland launches 2023 Impact Report

Samaritans also launched its Impact Report for 2023, which showed that 1,500 volunteers in the Republic of Ireland:

• Answered more than 400,000 calls and emails for help, including 20,000 from prisoners and 150 calls from overseas.
• Spent, on average, almost 23 minutes on the phone to each caller who needed emotional support.
• Delivered 63,000 hours of support.
• Mental health/illness, loneliness/isolation, family issues and relationship problems remained the most common concerns callers cited.

Ms O’Toole added: “We are extremely proud of all our volunteers, not only for the time and dedication they give to our callers but for the hours they also give to supporting those in schools, communities, at festivals and in prison."