Kilkenny buildings to be lit up for Longest Night as Samaritans volunteers prepare for Christmas calls

Volunteers in Kilkenny will be among 100 listening volunteers on duty across Ireland on Christmas Day, providing vital emotional support to people struggling to cope.

Volunteers answered more than 33,000 calls to Samaritans 24-hour freephone number (116 123) last December, including almost 1,000 calls on Christmas Day alone.

The mental health charity is asking landmarks and public buildings across the country to light up in green to mark the Longest Night on Thursday, December 21st, to show people Samaritans are here for them during the long dark nights – especially over Christmas.

Anne Lennon Volunteer Branch Director at Kilkenny Samaritans, said: “We know from our callers that Christmas can be particularly challenging and not the happy time often perceived on television or in ads at this time of year.

“Bereavement, loneliness, relationship and family problems, addictions, abuse and mental health issues can all feature heavily in people's lives throughout the festive break. It is really important that people know that whatever they are going through, whenever they are going through it, Samaritans are here to listen day and night. We urge anyone in need of support to reach out and call freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie.

Anne  added: “It is fantastic that so manysites across [town/county] are lighting up in green on the Longest Night to show people that Samaritans are there for them during their darkest hours. We urge as many companies as possible to light up and show their support on the night and register via www.samaritans.ie/ longestnight.”