Surge in demand for self-harm counselling

A VOLUNTARY agency set up in the mid-west to counsel people who are suicidal or self-harming is growing at such a rate it is expected to treat as many people as at its five centres in Dublin.

Pieta House is now dealing with 46 people at its Limerick centre in Raheen, including a child of six .

Chief executive of Pieta House, Joan Freeman, said they expect to cater for up to 500 people this year.