Stress levels rise over festive period
A survey carried out on behalf of the Samaritans found that 63% of women were stressed and/or depressed compared to 48% of men.
Dubliners were most prone to an emotional low, with 62% of the capital’s population reporting Christmas stress or depression, compared to 49% on the west of Ireland.
Lack of money was the biggest factor in upsetting people, with one-third of respondents blaming their tight financial situation for feeling down and stressed out. Parents with young families featured highly in this group, with 45% of those in the 25-34 age group hitting an emotional low.
Samaritan spokesman Paul O’Hare said people also felt under pressure to have a good time and that this was not helping their mood.
Mr O’Hare said calls to the Samaritans always increased over Christmas and the New Year.
“Traditionally there is an upsurge in the order by 8-15%. It is good that people feel they can call us at this time and we would encourage it.”
Mr O’Hare said that a lot of the stress associated with Christmas was due to the preparations involved.
“It appears that a lot of this burden falls to women, which may be why they are more affected,” he said.
He also said that Christmas could highlight the sense of loss for many people, such as the loss of a loved one or broken relationships and he encouraged people to contact the Samaritans if they felt in need of a listening ear. He said while it was not possible to say whether suicides increased over the Christmas period, research had shown that suicide peaked across Europe in January among young men.
This year the Samaritans have launched a special website, dedicated to people’s emotional health and wellbeing, with information on what to do when feeling stressed or depressed.
The web address is www.changeourminds.com, or to talk to a Samaritan volunteer, call 1850 60 90 90 (or 08457 90 90 90 from Northern Ireland). Lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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