A Samaritans volunteer who received help from the charity said people can feel down during the busy Christmas period and it was important to reach out.
The appeal comes as venues across the island of Ireland were lit up in green on Saturday night for the Samaritans’ Longest Night campaign – to show people there is support for them during the dark nights.
Roisin Lynam, 34, from Galway, said she is happy to “give back” at what is a “high-pressure and highly emotional” time of year.
She said she turned to the suicide prevention charity when she was at her lowest point.
“I have had depression and anxiety for most of my life,” she said. “There was a time, at my lowest, that I turned to Samaritans for help.
“They spoke to me so kindly and gave me the strength to take the next steps in my recovery.
“Since that day, my life has changed and improved so much. Samaritans helped me go from surviving to thriving and I’m so happy I can give back after all they gave me.
“Christmas can be such a high-pressure and highly emotional time of year with expectations that some feel like a failure when they can’t meet.
“There are those who feel isolated and alone and even if it’s just on the day I would encourage them to pick up the phone.”
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Executive director of Samaritans Ireland Sarah O’Toole has encouraged people to talk through their problems.
“While December is marketed as the ‘happiest time of the year’, we know that’s not the case for everyone,” she said.
“This time of year can be difficult for all sorts of reasons.
“On top of the challenges people face throughout the year – which don’t just take a break for Christmas – there’s the added financial burden, expectation to appear happy, spending time with people we’re not necessarily comfortable around, while feelings of loneliness and bereavement may be heightened.”
Samaritans operate 24/7 throughout the festive period on freephone 116 123 or by email, [email protected].
It is anticipated volunteers will answer around 30,000 calls this December, including 800 on Christmas Day.
Loneliness and isolation, mental health concerns and family issues have been among the main reasons people called, the charity said.