Samaritans’ volunteers answered almost 35,000 calls last December

Michael Keelan, a former caller to Samaritans who is now a volunteer in Samaritans’ Drogheda branch (Samaritans/PA)

Samaritans’ volunteers answered almost 35,000 calls last December as more people reported feeling lonely and isolated.

Concerns over loneliness and isolation increased and were cited by 38% of emotional support contacts over the festive season, compared with 33% in December 2019, followed by mental health/illness, family issues and Covid-19.