Counselling service struggles with cuts amid demand hike

A counselling centre with a continuing increase in demands for its services is trying to cope with reduced funding.

The number of people seeking a one-to-one service at the Southwest Counselling Centre in Killarney has risen by 15% since 2009, but funding has declined by 14%.

There is also a rise in the numbers referred for adult counselling, but the centre’s director, Geraldine Sheedy, said adult mental health was a “largely ignored” area in r elation to funding.

The centre provides free crisis and suicide prevention counselling, in addition to affordable counselling for children, adolescents, adults and couples.

Sarah O’Brien, chair-person of the board of directors, said the centre was offering a professional service and best practice. “Our work with children and adolescents is truly preventative and often transformative, offering early intervention and equipping young people with the skills to handle stressful situations and life experiences,” she told the centre’s AGM.

The centre will be one of the beneficiaries of this year’s Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle. The directors are currently encouraging all cyclists to take part.

Ms O’Brien acknowledged the role of the Franciscan Friary, Killarney, which set up the service and provided the building, and thanked local organisations for their fundraising efforts.

Board of management representatives recently met Kathleen Lynch, minister of state for health and disability, in regard to funding.

Numbers seeking counselling jumped from 565 in 2009 to 757 last year. Hours given to one-to-one therapy rose from 2,339 to 2,734 over the same period.