Samaritans Ireland has launched a new dedicated email address to reach people in need of emotional support.
The Irish Regional Director with the Samaritans said the launch of a specific Irish email service means the Samaritans will be able to reach a greater number of people.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Cindy O'Shea said that there was a demographic divide between those who would use the email and SMS service and those who use the phone line, with under 35s more likely to use social media and text services and over 35s are more likely to use the phone service.
She also said sometimes people find it easier to articulate their concerns through email and text.
Samaritans Ireland answered over 625,000 calls for emotional support and almost 25,000 texts last year.
Ms O'Shea said a large number of callers would be unique callers, who ring for the first time, but the service also receives a number of repeat callers.
Samaritans has 20 branches across Ireland with 12 in the Republic of Ireland and eight in Northern Ireland, with a total of 2,500 active volunteers.
Volunteers primarily offer emotional support on the freephone 116 123 helpline and have answered 2.3 million calls since the freephone number was launched in April 2014.
The charity says that now, through the new dedicated Ireland-only email jo@samaritans.ie, another generation of people will be able to seek and receive emotional support when most in need.
Samaritans volunteers can be contacted on Freephone 116 123, Text 087 2609090 (standard text rates apply) or by emailing jo@samaritans.ie
