24-hour support: The Samaritans will launch a 24-hour text support service today, in response to the growing number of people who communicate by text.
To receive the service, the caller just sends a SMS text message to 087-2609090.
A Samaritans' volunteer will then reply to the text, with a confidential, non-judgmental text reply, offering "emotional support", within 10 minutes of receiving the initial text.
The move follows detailed research and trials by the charity which found that 94 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds send personal text messages.
The Samaritans say that eight out of 10 people under 25 are more likely to send a text to someone than to call.
The volunteers have all received training in how to read abbreviated text language, but will reply in full spelling.
The Samaritans say their central principle of confidentiality is maintained by the technology.