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11/01/2016
21% Rise In Suicide Helpline Calls During Christmas - Console
Phone calls to a suicide helpline increased by over 21% during the Christmas and New Year period, it has been announced.
Console revealed it received an average of 185 calls per day, with a total of 4,116 people ringing the helpline in December.
Founder and CEO, Paul Kelly, said: "There was a notable increase in calls from New Year's Day onwards from people in real despair and experiencing feelings of hopelessness, with many in suicidal crisis or in the process of taking their lives.
"We also received an increasing number of calls from third parties concerned about a loved one who was actively suicidal, self harming or in emotional or psychological distress.
"The increase in calls illustrates a huge demand for the Console freephone 1800 247 247 suicide prevention helpline with over 3,400 calls now received per month, quite apart from the 21% spike that we experienced at Christmas which brought our December numbers to 4,116."
Mr Kelly added they also saw an increase in the amount of young men texting HELP to 51444.
"Some texters may be about to take their own lives or at the stage of having it planned down to the fine details with a firm intent on following through with it," he said.
"Although a joyful time for many, Christmas can tend to magnify life's pressures for people who may be vulnerable emotionally or psychologically."
(LM)
Console revealed it received an average of 185 calls per day, with a total of 4,116 people ringing the helpline in December.
Founder and CEO, Paul Kelly, said: "There was a notable increase in calls from New Year's Day onwards from people in real despair and experiencing feelings of hopelessness, with many in suicidal crisis or in the process of taking their lives.
"We also received an increasing number of calls from third parties concerned about a loved one who was actively suicidal, self harming or in emotional or psychological distress.
"The increase in calls illustrates a huge demand for the Console freephone 1800 247 247 suicide prevention helpline with over 3,400 calls now received per month, quite apart from the 21% spike that we experienced at Christmas which brought our December numbers to 4,116."
Mr Kelly added they also saw an increase in the amount of young men texting HELP to 51444.
"Some texters may be about to take their own lives or at the stage of having it planned down to the fine details with a firm intent on following through with it," he said.
"Although a joyful time for many, Christmas can tend to magnify life's pressures for people who may be vulnerable emotionally or psychologically."
(LM)
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