Relate Press Releases
JAN 10 2012 / Relate sees a 116 per cent increase in calls since festive period
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -10 January 2012
Relate sees a 116% increase in calls
January has seen Relate, the relationship support charity, experience a 116% increase* in calls to its helpline from people needing relationship support, compared to calls in December.
The massive increase in calls, up 20% from the same days last year, shows families and couples are feeling under more pressure.
A survey of callers** revealed that the biggest issues causing relationship breakdown were:
1) Arguments 36%
2) Affairs 20%
3) Sex 9%
4) Stress 9%
5) Money 7%
The charity has also seen a 60% increase in visitors to their website www.relate.org.uk
A survey of callers to the helpline revealed:
- One in three callers said they had an awful or really awful Christmas this year
- Two in five callers said they had waited until after Christmas to tackle their relationship problems
- One in three callers said their relationship breakdown was down to arguments
Christine Northam, Relate counsellor, said: “We know that during these tough economic times families are under more pressure and this often leads to more arguments and break-ups. Our callers tell us that arguments, affairs and problems with their sex life are the major issues leading to difficulties. We’d urge couples to talk to each other as soon as they notice a problem and seek help.
“While we don’t like to think of people in distress in some ways it is encouraging that so many people are contacting Relate because we really can make a difference, especially if people contact us sooner rather than later.”
Relate conducted a survey before Christmas and found the most common problems for fireworks over the Christmas period were identified as personality clashes (14%) and not agreeing on what to do over the break (10%). And it seems we are most likely to argue with our partner (29%) or our children (13%).
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Contact Head of Marketing, Kim Atkins on: 020 7554 2885 / kim.atkins@relate.org.uk or for out of hours enquiries - 07971 869 735
* Statistics from calls to the Relate Response line comparing working days Jan 3 – 5 2012 compared to Dec 1, 2, 5 2011.
** Survey undertaken by Relate Response operators. 135 callers surveyed Jan 3rd – Jan 9th 2012.
Notes to editors:
• Relate’s vision is a future in which healthy relationships form the heart of a thriving society
• Relate’s services extend beyond couple counselling to family counselling, counselling for young people, online counselling, sex therapy and informal workshops
• Relate works in schools, primary care settings, prisons, and Children’s Centres
• Relate supports 150,000 people each year in over 600 locations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Relate has a work-force of 2,000 people nationwide
• For more information and advice visit: www.relate.org.uk