Counselling centre sees 15% jump in those seeking help

A KERRY counselling centre has reported a 15% rise in the number of people seeking help in 2011.

Such people were experiencing financial strain and struggling to cope with situations which could take a serious toll on their health, according to Geraldine Sheedy, director, South West Counselling Centre (SWCC), in Killarney.

The centre provides free crisis/suicide prevention counselling for people who may have attempted, or who are actively contemplating, suicide. It is available to children, adolescents, adults and concerned family members.

People needing on-going counselling may be referred directly to a professional counsellor dealing with a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, panic attacks, abuse, job loss, bereavement and separation, self harm, relationship and family problems and childhood trauma.

“’We are the only service in Kerry providing this service to individuals, couples, families, adolescents and children under one roof.

“No other service adopts such an inclusive approach to working with children, adolescents and families,” said Ms Sheedy.

Demand was growing but the centre was operating on a very tight budget.

“’A large percentage of our clients are older adults experiencing depression, anxiety and feeling suicidal,” she said.

“Many of these individuals are also experiencing financial and, or, social disadvantage. This is an age group that is very much ignored when it comes to the provision of counselling and psychological support.”

Coroner Terence Casey, who presides at inquests in south Kerry, has already highlighted rising suicide levels among older men in the area, which had 11 suicides last year — four of the men were over 60.

Mr Casey said such people were often the victims of loneliness and rural isolation, a situation that was getting more serious all time due to a lack of social contact.

Kerry Senator Marie Moloney (Labour) raised the issue in the Seanad and called on Health Minister James Reilly to provide funding to SWCC and other voluntary organisations offering what she described as a life-saving service.

* Call SWCC on 064 6636416, or email [e-mail].