Samaritans Ireland’s 2024 Report Reveals High Satisfaction Rates as Volunteers Respond to 470,000 Calls

Samaritans Ireland’s 2024 Report Reveals High Satisfaction Rates as Volunteers Respond to 470,000 Calls

(IN BRIEF) Samaritans Ireland’s 2024 Impact Report highlights the vital role the charity plays in offering emotional support, with volunteers answering 50 calls per hour on average last year. The report reveals that Samaritans is the only form of support for over half of its callers, with mental health, loneliness, and family problems being the most common concerns. New research also shows high satisfaction levels, with 84% of callers feeling the service provides a safe space. Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler T.D., commended Samaritans for its contribution to reducing suicide rates in Ireland.

(PRESS RELEASE) DUBLIN, 22-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Samaritans volunteers across Ireland answered an impressive 50 calls every hour last year, according to the organisation’s 2024 Impact Report. The research also revealed that for over half of those who called, Samaritans was their only source of support, highlighting the crucial role the charity plays in Ireland’s mental health landscape.

During the past year, Samaritans volunteers dedicated 100,000 hours of support to people in need, answering 470,000 calls in total, which amounts to about 1,200 calls each day. The most common concerns raised by callers were related to mental health, isolation, loneliness, and family issues. On average, emotional support calls lasted 28 minutes, with 6,800 calls being diverted from other helplines when they were closed.

In addition to the Impact Report, Samaritans unveiled new research on callers’ experiences, which surveyed nearly 600 individuals. Conducted by University College Cork and funded by the HSE’s National Office of Suicide Prevention (NOSP), the study showed that 56% of respondents considered Samaritans their only form of support. The research also revealed high satisfaction rates, with 84% of respondents feeling the service provided a safe space, 79% feeling genuinely listened to, and 73% reporting feeling supported.

Sarah O’Toole, Executive Director of Samaritans Ireland, commented: “This research reaffirms that Samaritans is often a lifeline for people who are isolated, struggling with day-to-day pressures, or facing crises. We are proud to be the only support for so many and are encouraged by the positive feedback we’ve received. Many callers describe our service as an ‘emotional ambulance,’ and this highlights the profound impact our volunteers have.”

Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler T.D., paid tribute to Samaritans Ireland and its volunteers for the many hours dedicated to supporting others.

The report was complemented by a tribute from Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler T.D., who praised the essential role Samaritans plays in Ireland’s ongoing efforts to reduce suicide rates. “Voluntary organisations like Samaritans have been instrumental in the significant decline in suicide and self-harm rates over the past two decades,” she said. “Their dedication in offering emotional support is key to ensuring a safer and more connected Ireland.”

Samaritans Ireland continues to offer its 24-hour helpline across the island, with more than 1,500 volunteers supporting callers in 16 locations across Ireland and an additional 600 volunteers in Northern Ireland. To contact Samaritans, people can call the freephone number 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie.

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 jo@samaritans.ie.
• 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 jo@samaritans.ie. 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

Media Contact:

Sarah Stack
Communications & Policy Manager
Samaritans Ireland
s.stack@samaritans.org
085 860 5554.

SOURCE: Samaritans