Samaritans contacted every 2 minutes

Suicide prevention charity Samaritans was contacted by people in distress or crisis at a rate of one call every two minutes last year, figures suggest.

Volunteers were contacted around 249,000 times in total in 2018, according to statistics published by the charity, providing more than 60,000 hours of emotional support by phone, email or text.

Just under a third of callers expressed suicidal thoughts and feelings.

The charity has more than 750 volunteers in Scotland who provide a 24-hour listening service, offering emotional support to anyone in crisis or distress across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

According to the Samartians, reasons for people contacting them include feelings of loneliness or isolation, worries about family or relationships, or problems with physical or mental health.

James Jopling, from Samaritans Scotland, said the figures highlight the services of the charity are needed now more than ever. He said: “Our volunteers are ordinary people who give up their time to do something extraordinary.

“Their contribution means Samaritans can be there for people when they need us most.”