Dublin Samaritans received 65,648 contacts from callers in 1996, according to the annual report of the organisation, published yesterday. The report said the Dublin branch's 370 volunteers got 61,150 telephone calls; had 3,354 contacts with visitors to their centre; had contact with 936 inmates from four prisons; and received 208 letters. "Suicidal thoughts were expressed in about 30 per cent of these contacts."
The report explained that the number of telephone calls was lower than in 1995 because, when the Samaritans discovered how many callers were finding their phone engaged, they arranged for more calls on 1-850-60-90-90 to be directed to their branches in Newbridge and Kilkenny.
Ms Mary Bryans, director of the organisation, said: "As a result, more Dublin calls to the Samaritans are now getting through than ever before. The smaller branches welcome this arrangement as volunteers are now of greater service to callers and are gaining valuable experience."
The Samaritans' public relations and advertising, the report added, was directed at making known its availability to those who may need it, to increase awareness of the value of expressing feelings which may lead to suicide, and to find new volunteers and funding.
On fund-raising, the report said of the £150,000 received by the Dublin branch last year, 10 per cent came from training fees earned; 20 per cent from the Department of Health; and 70 per cent from donations, fund-raising events and from other voluntary and charitable sources.