Calls to counselling service up by 37%

Connect, the National Adults Counselling Service, reported a 37% increase in calls during 2009 receiving 8,264 calls compared to 6,020 in 2008 and 4,630 in 2007.

Connect Chief Executive Officer Anne Richardson said that the significant increase in calls during 2009 was clearly linked to the public focus on the findings of the Ryan and Murphy reports during the year.

However, Ms. Richardson urged more people from rural areas to use the service as three urban counties accounted for almost half of all calls at 47%.

“Urban areas such as Dublin (26%), Cork (11%) and Galway (10%) had a much higher volume of calls than rural areas of the country.”

Kerry accounted for 9% of calls. Kildare, Limerick, Westmeath, Monaghan and Mayo accounted for 4% each, Roscommon and Waterford 3% each, Sligo and Laois 2% each while Wexford, Tipperary and Meath accounted for just 1% each.

Counties Cavan, Carlow, Clare, Donegal, Kilkenny, Offaly, Louth, Longford, Leitrim and Wicklow accounted for less than 1% of calls each. Ms Richardson encouraged those in rural areas who may be in need of support and counselling to use the free and confidential service.

Only 31% of all callers in 2009 were male and Ms. Richardson also encouraged more men to use the service.

“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. There are lot of men who could benefit a great deal from support and counselling,” Ms. Richardson said.

Connect is an out of hours telephone support and counselling service for adults who were abused in childhood. It is available Wednesday to Sunday, from 6-10pm and is also available to partners or relatives of people with these experiences.

Connect is funded by the HSE and the number for the service is 1800 477 477. More information about Connect is available at www.connectcounselling.ie. Callers from the UK and the North can reach the service on 00800 477 477 77.