Download document: Samaritans Ireland Impact Report 2024
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Samaritans volunteers across the island of Ireland answered more than 60 calls every hour last year, as new research revealed it is the only form of support for over half of callers.
Impact Report 2024
The Samaritans Ireland Impact Report for 2024 showed that volunteers in Ireland and Northern Ireland provided 126,000 hours of support to callers during the year, providing a lifeline to people who were struggling to cope.
The 2024 Impact Report highlighted that:
- Volunteers responded to 570,000 calls (includes all contacts) – answering approximately 1,500 each day.
- The most frequently raised concerns related to mental health or illness, isolation, loneliness, and family problems (multiple issues can be raised in one call).
- Emotional support calls lasted an average of 21-28 minutes.
- 6,800 calls were diverted to Samaritans from five other helplines when they were closed.
Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide. Our volunteers create a safe space for human connection that can often be life-saving. In the quiet moments of human struggle, a listening ear can be the difference between despair and hope.
Sarah O'Toole, Executive Director, Samaritans Ireland
Our 2024 Impact Report highlights that volunteers responded to 1,500 calls each day.
Read our 2024 Impact Report
Research: Understanding our callers
Samaritans also launched the results of its first caller experience research, which surveyed almost 600 people. The research on caller’s experience of using the helpline - carried out by University College Cork - found high satisfaction levels with Samaritans service.
The research also showed that the only form of support for 56% of those surveyed was Samaritans. Funded by the HSE’s National Office of Suicide Prevention (NOSP), it revealed:
- 84% felt we provide a safe space for them;
- 79% felt genuinely listened to;
- 73% reported feeling supported by our service;
Sarah O’Toole said the results were heartening and reaffirmed the key role of Samaritans in Ireland’s mental health landscape.
We know we are often a lifeline and the only support for people who are lonely or feeling isolated, people who are struggling with the pressures of day-to-day life, and people who are in crisis. Now, this new research, confirms that. For over half of those who responded, we were their only form of support and 84% felt we provided a safe place to talk. One caller described Samaritans an ‘emotional ambulance’, while another said: ‘I wouldn’t be standing here today only for them’. This study reaffirms Samaritans’ profound impact on our callers, with an overwhelming majority reporting a positive experience with our service.
Sarah O'Toole, Executive Director, Samaritans Ireland
Read our 'Understanding Our Callers' research report
Download document: In Their Words: Understanding Our Callers research report
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Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler T.D., paid tribute to Samaritans Ireland and its volunteers for the many hours dedicated to supporting others.
Over the past 20 years there has been a significant reduction in the rate of suicide and self-harm, and I have no doubt voluntary organisations like Samaritans have played a key role in this progress by acting as a lifeline for many people. The new research by Samaritans Ireland carried out by UCC, shows how important this service is, and how Samaritans volunteers create a safe space where callers feel listened to and supported. The Department of Health is currently working with a variety of stakeholder organisations, including Samaritans Ireland, to develop Ireland’s next policy to further reduce suicide in Ireland and I look forward to bringing the new policy to Government for approval towards the end of this year.
Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler T.D.
One of the biggest surprises about volunteering for me has to be just how open and honest our callers feel that they can be with us. The fact that we're an anonymous voice on the other end of the phone really lets our callers open up and be vulnerable in a way they sometimes can't be anywhere else, and you often see that reflected in the relief they feel by the end of the call. I've had people confide in me about things they've never said to anyone but themselves, and it's an amazing thing to be able to provide people with that safe space.
Conor, volunteer with Samaritans Belfast
Media contact:
For further information or to arrange an interview contact Sarah Stack, Communications & Policy Manager, Samaritans Ireland, [email protected]; 085 860 5554.
Note for Editors:
- Samaritans is the only 24-hour emotional support helpline that covers the island of Ireland, with more than 1,500 volunteers in 16 towns and cities across Ireland. Another 600 volunteers are based in Northern Ireland. People can call Samaritans freephone number 116 123 or email [email protected].
- Understanding Our Callers in Ireland took place in July–September 2024 and included 395 people who had called Samaritans, 126 people who had signposted others to Samaritans, 65 people who knew someone who had used the service, and 12 former callers who took part in one-to-one interviews. This research was funded by the HSE’s National Office of Suicide Prevention (NOSP).
- Calls include inbound calls, outbound calls, emails and ,contacts in prisons as part of the Listener scheme
- Executive Director of Samaritans Ireland, Sarah O’Toole, or a Samaritans volunteer are available for interview.
- Anyone can ring Samaritans on freephone 116 123 or email [email protected]. All calls are free from any mobile or landline and the number will not show up on a phone bill.
- For information on volunteering with Samaritans visit www.samaritans.ie/volunteer