Minister for Mental Health meets with SouthWest Councelling Centre
Minister for Mental Health, Kathleen Lynch TD met with representatives from SouthWest Counselling Centre at a specially convened meeting at Leinster house on Thursday 21st July.
Deputy Brendan Griffin TD arranged this meeting and was also in attendance.
The urgent need for additional funding in response to the increased demand for counselling at SWCC was discussed.
Numbers of persons seeking Counselling at the Centre increased by 17% last year.
This fact that Kerry is one of the lowest employment areas in the country with one of the lowest incomes per capita may have a bearing as Geraldine Sheedy,
Centre Director stated ‘We have witnessed an increase in the number of people experiencing financial strain which can take a very serious toll on people’s mental health’ as they struggle to cope.
SouthWest Counselling Centre has the professional skills to provide this counselling service in County Kerry but additional funding is urgently required.
SWCC is the only service in Kerry providing reduced-cost counselling to individuals, couples, families, adolescents and children under the one roof.
Minister Lynch heard how SWCC provided affordable counselling for a range of issues such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, abuse, job loss,
bereavement and separation, suicide and self harm, relationship and family problems and childhood trauma.
Deputy Griffin commended the work of SouthWest Counselling Centre (SWCC) stating that having visited the Centre he could attest to the professional
cost effective service that is being delivered in a caring and confidential environment.
The work of SWCC is very much in alignment with the National Policy Framework for Mental Health, for which the Minister is very committed to implementing.
The Board and Staff at SouthWest Counselling Centre would be delighted to welcome the Minister to SouthWest Counselling Centre and see first hand this state of the art facility.
(Left to Right) Kathleen Lynch (Minister for Mental Health), Geraldine Sheedy (SWCC Director), Deputy Brendan Griffin (TD)
