Outcry as cutbacks force youth counselling service to close

A service which has counselled 400 young people in the past year on crisis issues is to close.

Protests are to be organised against the closure, due to cutbacks, of the Tralee-based mental health service.

The Jigsaw service provided supports for the 12-25 age group. Its planned demise has been branded a “disgrace”.

The closure comes amid growing concerns about suicide levels in Kerry.

At least six people have reportedly taken their own lives in the northern side of the county inside the last two months, according to Tralee-based Cllr Gillian Wharton Slattery.

The Labour councillor said Jigsaw had been working very effectively and people at crisis point were being referred to the HSE.

“The closure of Jigsaw is nothing short of a disgrace,” she insisted.

She described it as an early intervention service for a lot of young people who might not be “fully comfortable” in attending a GP.

A spokesperson for the centre has also warned mental health issues in Kerry would worsen as a result of the closure.

The coroner for south Kerry Terence Casey has already called for a national campaign to prevent suicide, similar to the campaign to reduce road deaths.

There were 11 suicides in Mr Casey’s largely rural area in 2011, with the overwhelming majority being male.

Meanwhile, the South West Counselling Centre in Killarney, will be marking International Suicide Prevention Day today with an open day at its premises.

The centre provides free suicide prevention counselling and free counselling to people affected by suicide.

“Instilling hope and reducing risk factors are key to addressing the prevention of suicide,” said a counsellor Edel Hobbert.

In addition, a Killarney group, Be Aware Prevent Suicide, which organised a successful seminar in the town earlier this year, is to hold a mental wellness exhibition in Tralee next month. Voluntary and statutory organisations are being invited to participate.