Calls to a suicide helpline jumped by more than 30% over Christmas, figures have shown.

According to the suicide prevention and bereavement charity, Console, its helpline dealt with an average of 165 calls every day over the 10 days around Christmas - an increase of 31% when compared to the same period last year.

Altogether, almost 4,000 people rang the helpline during the month of December, which represents a ‘spike' in activity as the charity normally deals with around 3,250 calls per month.

According to Console founder and CEO, Paul Kelly, Christmas can be an extremely difficult time for some people, particularly if they feel lonely or isolated.

"Although a joyful time for many, Christmas can tend to magnify life's pressures for people who may be vulnerable emotionally or psychologically. These pressures might be added financial worries, or perhaps it is the first Christmas since a significant event such as a death or a divorce," he noted.

He said that this Christmas, the helpline took a lot of calls from people ‘who felt the added pressure of disconnection from family and society, which can often lead to despair'.

"The fact that we have seen an increase in calls means that our message is getting through and we would ask anyone who needs help or support to contact us. Callers to the helpline may be about to take their own lives or at the stage of having it planned down to the fine details with a firm intent on following through with it," Mr Kelly said.

He added that helpline staff are trained to make an intervention if required and there has been a big increase in the helpline's outgoing contact with emergency services, such as the ambulance service and Gardai, on behalf of callers.

The helpline, which is free of charge, is available 24 hours a day on 1800 247 247. Console also has full-time counselling centres in Dublin, Galway, Mayo, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Wexford. Services are also available in Kildare, Athlone and London in the UK.

For more information on the charity, click here