The coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact in all areas of our lives, but it is having a particularly significant affect on our mental health. Liv Clarke reports.

Since March, the Samaritans has seen a huge increase in calls as the pandemic drives up feelings of worry, anxiety and loneliness.

Nationally the charity, which provides emotional support to those who need it at any time over the phone, has offered support more than half a million times since the pandemic began.

Nearly a quarter of these calls have come from people concerned about Covid-19 and the most common concerns are loneliness, isolation, mental health and illness, family, and finance and unemployment.

According to a survey led by the Mental Health Foundation, one in six people aged over 55 said they were feeling lonely as a result of the virus.

Meanwhile, 44 per cent of young people aged 18-24 reported feeling lonely.

The Samaritans run a 24-hour helpline seven days a week, and their Bolton office takes calls from across the country, offering vital support to those who need it.

Director of the Bolton Samaritans Don Astley said: “It’s been very busy, there’s been a huge increase in calls from people who are on their own, especially older people who do not see their family or friends, and that is upsetting for them.

“The problems that people had before Covid still exist - they’ve not gone away - but since the crisis began we’ve had more calls resulting from loneliness and isolation.

“Finance and unemployment are big worries for people.

“As we are living in the pandemic, we have some understanding of what they are going through, and that helps us to understand their situation.”

A key aspect of the Samaritans is that you can call them for free and it doesn’t show up on phone bills, which helps address the stigma surrounding mental health.

The Bolton office has had frequent calls from older people who felt particularly isolated by the pandemic.

Don said: “Loneliness has worsened significantly among older people and grandparents not being able to see grandchildren.

“We would have people ring up and say they had been out for their daily walk but they now have nothing to do for the rest of the day.

“People with disabilities are also affected because there’s no longer that option to interact with people outside of the home easily,” he added.

“The virus itself has been a factor, some are concerned that they might catch it and they are worried that they cannot go out and are frightened of people coming round.

“It is getting better though, people seem to be more prepared to go out whereas for the first few weeks and months everybody was stuck at home all the time.

“We are not experts and we do not give people any medical advice or guidance on how they should be behaving, we just listen.

“But it can be so helpful for people to talk through their problems and issues, even if they’re just discussing being lonely. At the end of the call they often say that they feel much better.

“We offer an email service too, some people are more comfortable putting their thoughts down on paper. We will signpost people to professional and voluntary organisations, but only if people ask us.”

Although the Samaritans have faced challenges over recent months, they are still receiving enquiries from people who want to volunteer and are looking to adapt their services, by introducing an online chat service.

Don said: “It’s been the most challenging time for a variety of reasons. It was difficult getting shifts and duties filled and it’s hard to make sure they are all being covered, as we have had some volunteers self-isolating.

“The situation we are all in - it’s something that none of us have control over. But we can listen to people’s fears and worries, and we can show them some understanding.

“One thing I will say is our volunteers in Bolton have been amazing, they have been putting in extra shifts and working unsociable hours.

“For those who have worries, we are here and we are available.”

You can call The Samaritans on 116 123.