Ms Sarah Stack:

On the Samaritans being a humbling organisation, that comes from the volunteers. Last year, just before Covid hit we managed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Dublin Samaritans. One of the volunteers there on the night has been involved in that branch since it opened. The volunteers are humble about what they do. They do not brag even though what they do can save a life every day. It is incredible. Next month, the Belfast branch will celebrate 60 years in operation. Again, that is an incredible achievement. That branch was open throughout the Troubles. Its doors never closed.

The work of a volunteer is active listening. We are constantly trying to promote active listening on social media and on our website through the SHUSH programme. It is all about how to start a conversation and how to listen. To do that people have to put away the mobile phone and, perhaps, turn off the television and then turn to the other person and ask how he or she is feeling. It is important to allow the person to answer and to not jump in at that point and talk about what happened to you, as we all love to do. It is about active listening and being there for each other. Free counselling services would make a huge difference in society. Active listening would breakdown the stigma because if there are people within our circle or work colleagues who are struggling to cope we will have a bit more time for other people around us who are struggling to cope as well.

The task force on loneliness is up and running again and looking at what can be done. It is a huge issue that cannot be resolved by one organisation or one solution. For example, it covers the teenager who barely attended school in the past two and a half years because of Covid and is suddenly forced back into a school but cannot mix with his or her friends in other classes right up to the elderly person who might be at home alone every day. As I said it is a huge issue, which will require a great deal of work over a number of years to break it down.