Samaritans volunteer: People underestimate how valuable it is to give your time

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

An Athlone woman who has worked as a Samaritans volunteer most Christmas Days for the past 32 years has said people can underestimate how valuable it is to give someone their time.

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.

Samaritans operates 24/7 throughout the festive period on freephone 116 123 or by email.

It is anticipated volunteers will answer around 30,000 calls in December, including 800 on Christmas Day.

Mary Horan, from the charity’s Athlone branch, is among those who will answer the calls on Christmas Day and asks that people check in with one another over the festive season.

“When I joined the Samaritans, it gives a commitment to a 24-hour service 365 days a year,” Ms Horan told the PA news agency.

“I work Christmas night because I can give the time, I’m able to do that.

“It’s good to be on the other end of the phone when people ring.”

She said Christmas Day is “particularly poignant” for some people, while for others, it is just another day.

The pressure and stress of the festive season are among the things people raise, as well as isolation and mental health worries.

“We ask people how they are and that can break down the silence and the barrier,” Ms Horan said.

“It’s a confidential service and we don’t underestimate the courage it takes for people to pick up the phone.

“There’s no judgment or pressure.

“It’s to have a listening ear, be compassionate at the end of the phone, it gives them the courage and the confidence to open up to us.

“I think we can underestimate how valuable time is, and if we can give that to people, that’s important.”

She asked people to look after one another during the Christmas break.

Ms Horan added: “We’d certainly say to people look out for people who live alone, not everyone lives in a warm home and has a supportive family around them.

“Just check in with them.

“Some people just wouldn’t speak with anyone from one end of the day to the other.

“Just ask how they are, that doesn’t cost us anything other than time, but it makes such a difference in someone’s life.”

Another Samaritans volunteer who received help from the charity herself said she was happy to “give back” at what is a “high-pressure and highly emotional” time of year.

Roisin Lynam, 34, from Galway, 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.

💚✨THANK YOU✨💚 to all the landmarks & buildings that lit up green last night for #SamaritansLongestNight.

Every illuminated site was a powerful reminder that Samaritans are here for everyone in their darkest hours.

👇 See the full list of sites:https://t.co/8YZ5rHi1Wx pic.twitter.com/399VpJG6nQ

— Samaritans Ireland (@SamaritansIRL) December 22, 2024

“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.”

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.”