A SAMARITANS branch is encouraging men to consider calling the charity over Christmas if they need support.

Last year the charity for people in crisis received about 244,000 calls during the Christmas period from people in the UK and Ireland.

More than 45 per cent of men who responded to an online survey by Samaritans said they felt more worried at Christmas than at other times of year and 37 per cent admitted to feeling lonely at Christmas.

But the charity says they are much less likely to use counselling or therapy and when they do, it is often at the point of crisis.

Dr Ian Watt, branch director of the Northallerton and Dales Samaritans said: “Many of our callers have told us that Christmas is a tough time for them, which is why our volunteers will be available round the clock for anyone who is struggling to cope, including on Christmas day.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the inspirational people who keep our service running every single day of the year when many others are closed.”

One of the branch’s volunteers, John, who will be working for the charity on Christmas day, said: “We answer lots of calls over the Christmas period, and many of those are from men who feel like their family would be better off without them. That’s why it’s so important that Samaritans volunteers like me are there for those men when they need to talk and anyone who needs us over this period.”

Samaritans can be contacted by ringing: 0845 90 90 90 or by visiting: www.samaritans.org to find details of the nearest branch.

The charity says supporters wishing to help Samaritans answer every phone call over Christmas can do so by donating just £4 at; www.samaritans.org/donate