Light up the longest night to help those through their darkest hours

Newbridge and Kildare Samaritans are reminding those in need that their helpline will be open during their darkest hours if they are lonely or struggling to cope this Christmas.

On Wednesday, 21 December, the suicide prevention charity will mark the Winter Solstice, the day when the sun travels the shortest path through the sky. Samaritans is urging council buildings, businesses and landmarks to light up in green on what is the Longest Night of the year to support those in need.

The campaign aims to raise awareness that volunteers with Samaritans are there 24/7, during people’s darkest hours, on freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie.

The festive period consistently experiences peaks in calls to mental health support services, with Samaritans responding to over 35,000 calls from people in distress last Christmas.

Each year, landmarks around Ireland bathe their buildings and outdoor locations in green light to illuminate hope at a time of year when incidences of mental distress and feelings of loneliness tend to culminate. By lighting up the Longest Night of the year, businesses across the country can show their compassion to those encountering a mental health crisis.

Samaritans seek businesses' support to join iconic landmarks, including Dublin Air Traffic Control, Cork City Hall, and the Rock of Cashel, in lighting up their buildings in green on Wednesday 21 December. Samaritans’ branches across the country will also hold candlelight walks and carol singing events to bolster their solidarity in local regions.

Judy Murphy, interim Branch Director with Newbridge and Kildare Samaritans, said: Entirely volunteer-run, Samaritans is dedicated to supporting individuals struggling to cope, feeling isolated or in a moment of crisis. The national telephone line is 116 123 and operates 365 days a year. The organisation is always in need of additional volunteers and can offer robust training to build appropriate skills in handling calls from people in distress.

“There are opportunities to engage Newbridge and Kildare Samaritans locally to share our message. We want to build capacity in organisations to foster resilience and wellbeing in their team and are offering to deliver a short strengths-based presentation to interested workplaces.

“Additionally, Samaritans welcome fundraising efforts through a range of activities, including walks, marathons or even Facebook donations pages. Find more information about fundraising on www.samaritans.org. To donate, visit www.tinyurl.com/samaritans-kildare.”