The Samaritans answered almost one thousand calls a day last year.
That's according to the charity's Impact Report which found that the pandemic had a serious impact on people's emotional well being.
Volunteers spent nearly 70,000 hours on the phone to callers.
The Samaritans say one in five phone calls were from people worried about the impact of lockdowns, while over 30% admitted to feeling isolated.
In total, just under half a million calls were taken last year by the Samaritans, including 19,000 from Irish prisoners.
Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD, launched the Impact Report and paid tribute to the commitment of Samaritans volunteers:
“I am delighted to launch Samaritans Ireland’s Impact Report which shows volunteers answered almost half a million calls and emails last year, with volunteers supporting others who were living in isolation or struggling to cope,” she said.
“The scope of Samaritans work in this report clearly shows the support it had given to some of the most marginalised in society, through training, awareness and emotional support. I want to thank the volunteers for being there for others during their darkest hours.
