ONE in every six calls made to the Samaritans talked about financial worries, according to the 2013 annual survey.

This compares with one in ten in 2008, shortly before the current recession began.

These calls for help were across telephone, email, SMS and face to face meetings. There has been a marked increase in the numbers of calls answered from men about financial worries, rising from one in eight in 2012 to one in six today.

The survey saw a rise of seven per cent to 44 per cent, compared with the 2012 figure of 37 per cent.

Calls answered from women were down seven per cent this year to 52 per cent.

A rise was also seen in the numbers of calls answered about housing, which was mentioned by 31 per cent of those who talked about financial worries.

This was up from 24 per cent in 2012 and is eight per cent more than those calling about concerns related to benefits.

To mark the Samaritans’ diamond year, the charity is asking people to help them be there for the next 60 years.

Please text ‘SUPPORT’ to 70123 to make a £3 donation to the cause.