Calls to a mental health helpline jumped by 29% last year, while emails to the service rose by 46%, new figures have shown.

According to the St Patrick's Mental Health Support Service, 2,510 calls were made to it in 2013, compared to 1,967 in 2012.

A breakdown of the figures reveals that while the number of calls relating to anxiety fell slightly - from 285 in 2012 to 268 last year - the number of calls relating to depression jumped from 382 to 572 over the same period.

There were also big increases in relation to obsessive compulsive disorder (163 to 255), ADHD (17 to 38) and psychosis (70 to 110).

However, the number of calls relating to eating disorders fell from 121 in 2012 to 69 in 2013, while the number of calls relating to bipolar disorder fell from 67 to 38.

Overall, almost three times as many women called the service than men.

Commenting on the increase in calls, Tom Maher, director of clinical services, said that the figures were ‘encouraging'.

"It's a sign that we are getting better at talking about our mental health, which is a hugely positive development," he insisted.

The service is staffed by experienced mental health nurses and provides, advice, support and guidance to members of the public, users of mental health care services and healthcare professionals.

"We are aware that many of our service users wait at least a year before accessing help for a mental health difficulty and we also know that international research demonstrates that earlier intervention leads to better outcomes. There are many reasons people wait before reaching out for support, but it's important that they know support is there and it's easily accessible when they are ready," explained Mr Maher.

Meanwhile, according to Paul Gilligan, CEO of St Patrick's, anyone affected by mental health problems ‘should not only believe that recovery is possible, but should expect recovery.'

"Our message is simple. You don't have to wait to enjoy life again. Every day you live with a mental health difficulty that can be managed and resolved, no matter what stage it's at, is a day you haven't lived to its fullest," he added.

St Patrick's University Hospital in Dublin is the country's largest independent, not for profit mental health service. The support service is available Monday to Friday on (01) 249 3333 or via email at info@stpatsmail.com

For more information on depression, see our Depression Clinic here