Out-of-hours counselling service calls rise by 1,400

AN out-of-hours phone counselling service received 1,400 more calls last year than in 2007, according to new statistics.

The HSE-funded National Adults Counselling Service, Connect, received 6,072 calls last year, its highest annual figure ever, the vast majority from people aged between 18 and 50 years.

The service received an average of 506 a month, with 76% of calls made by women. The number of calls received each month in 2007 was just 384.

The director of Connect, Anne Richardson, called for more men to use the service, which is for people who suffered abuse in childhood. She said if the high levels of calls was maintained, there would be a need to increase staff, as 25% of calls last year went unanswered.

“We know that men are as likely to suffer abuse in childhood as women, but they are more reluctant to consider taking counselling than women,” Ms Richardson said, adding the reasons for the rise in the number of callers last year could be attributed to greater media coverage of abuse issues or simply that people were “becoming more disposed to addressing these things that have happened in the past”.

Of those who made contact with the Connect service last year, 26% said they had suffered some form of abuse while in institutions, while 23% said they were pursuing claims with the Residential Institutions Redress Board.

* Call Connect on 1800 235 234, or see www.connectcounselling.ie