Samaritans report that;
More than 45% of men who responded to a survey by Samaritans said they felt more worried at Christmas than other times of the year.
The findings come with a reminder that volunteers from the charity’s 201 branches will be available round the clock over the festive period, for anyone who needs to talk.
The online survey found that of the male respondents:
- Almost half (48%) feel sad or depressed at Christmas time
- 45% of men feel that others expect them to be happy at Christmas when they are not
- More than a third (37%) of men admitted to feeling lonely at Christmas
- 30% of men felt stressed or anxious at Christmas time
- With men in the UK three times more likely than women to take their own lives, the charity is encouraging them to seek help and consider calling
- Samaritans if things are getting to them over the festive period. Men are also much less likely than women to have a positive view of counselling or therapy, and when they do use these services, it is at the point of crisis.
Last year, Samaritans received around 244,000 calls during the Christmas period from people in the UK and ROI, and relies on kind donations from the public to keep its helpline open every single day of the year. For information about making a donation click here.
If you are feeling sad or lonely this Christmas then don’t suffer in silence. Christmas can be a really difficult time whether you are on your own or in the middle of a hectic family Christmas – look after yourself and lift the phone to talk to the Samaritans.