Samaritans get calls every two minutes

CALLS to vital support group the Samaritans have reached record levels, with the group’s life-saving helpline receiving calls every two minutes this year.

New figures revealed in the charity’s annual report show a massive 400,357 people contacted its helpline in 2011 — a 9% increase on 2010 and more than double the boom-time figure of 200,000 in 2005.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Irish director Suzanne Costello said the rate was a clear sign of the deepening economic crisis, with one in every eight calls linked to the recession.