Samaritans sees busiest-ever year
Samaritans Ireland has had its busiest year ever, with around 500,000 people getting in touch.
The charity's contribution equates to 64,500 listening hours over the course of the year - a 38% increase over the previous year.
More than 1,500 people volunteer with the Samaritans in 12 branches across the country.
Catherine Brogan of Samaritans Ireland said 2015 was also shaping up to be busy.
"We hope we will continue to meet the demand in 2015 (so that) anyone struggling to cope knows there will be somebody at the end of a phone line that they can talk to, and we will listen," she said.
The Samaritans number is 116123.
