The Samaritans have announced they will have volunteers ready and available to offer support to anyone struggling to cope at Electric Picnic over the weekend.

With thousands of festival goers expected to attend the Stradbally based festival over the weekend, for some, the weekend may be more challenging than for others. For those who need it, the Samaritans Festival Branch will be available from Friday night to the early hours of Sunday morning at two sites over the weekend - one at the entrance to the Jimi Hendrix campsite (beside the medics tent) and one in the Main Arena, close to the Mind and Body entrance.

Tony Leech, Samaritan's Festival Director, believes it's important that people have a chance to talk about their feelings, especially at a setting like this. He says: “Events like Electric Picnic are designed to be enjoyable occasions. However, for some people it can be lonely and isolating to be in a festival atmosphere where they may be overwhelmed by feelings of loss and despair because of what may be happening or has happened in their lives.

“We know that many young people tend to bottle up their emotions, fearing they may be judged, be thought different or weak, be misunderstood or be ostracised. By being present at Electric Picnic, we want to give the message to anyone suffering feelings of despair that we are there to listen and to provide face to face support in a non-judgemental way."

The Director continues: “Volunteers from Samaritans Festival Branch will be available throughout the weekend to anyone who wants to talk. As Samaritans, we know very well the value that there is in sharing, understanding and valuing individual experiences.”

Samaritans Festival Branch attend approximately six to eight festivals each summer, supporting hundreds of people.

“There is a saying ‘A burden shared is a burden halved’," Tony added. "As Samaritans, we know from experience that it is helpful to talk and to share feelings. We are trained to listen. We do not advise. We do not offer solutions. We give people time and space to talk, to express their feelings, and we help them to explore options in dealing with any issues facing them.”

Samaritans presence at the festival is in addition to the freephone helpline 116 123, where volunteers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anyone can contact Samaritans for free any time, even on a mobile without credit. This number won’t show up on your phone bill. You can also email [email protected] or visit www.samaritans.ie for more information.