more calls to the Helpline. Many young people are depressed
The lights, the tree, waiting for the gifts make Christmas the most beautiful time of the year. But that’s not the case for everyone. Who lives only feels discomfort grow just during the holidays. They know it well 300 volunteers from Telefono Amico Italiaengaged in the listening marathon – for the ninth consecutive year – on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. In 2021 they helped beyond 640 people: 78% more than Christmas 2019, the last one before the pandemic.
I’m the one making the call in common men aged between 46 and 55 years. More technological womenthat you choose the chat: often very young, between 19 and 25 years old. Worryincrease in contacts by young people with depression problems, “people – say the operators – who at only 30 they feel that their life is meaningless”.
Also San Marino has its own phone Amico. The service was born a year ago from collaboration of Caritas and Tim, and is active on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Few call one decision of people per monthfor the most part single San Marino womenfrom 45 to 60 years old. They’ve been the same for about a year now, for the relationship of trust established with the volunteers. “They don’t so much seek a dialogue but rather someone who will listen to them”, they tell us. “It is unlikely that the number of calls will increase, because in a small reality like San Marino, even if anonymity is guaranteed – explains one of the three volunteers – there are those who give up for fear of being recognized”.
For all contacts:
Telephone Friend San Marino 0549-946262
Italian national number 02 2327 2327
WhatsApp Chat Friend 324 011 7252
www.telefonoamico.it