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Dublin: 17 °C Wednesday 19 June, 2013

One in four adults embarrassed to attend counselling

A recent survey also showed some 30 per cent of people do not go to counselling because of the perceived expense.

A RECENT SURVEY has shown that almost one in four adults would be embarrassed to go to counselling for personal problems.

The study conducted by the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) also revealed that only six per cent of under 25s in Ireland would seek professional help.

Some 21 per cent of people surveyed had personal or familial experience of  counselling or psychotherapy with incidences of attendance higher with women aged 35-54.

While more than three quarters of people who never availed of counselling  said they have no need of it, 30 per cent said it was too expensive.

Most people surveyed said they manage stress on their own though almost three quarters of people said they would discuss problems with a friend or family member.

One in ten people use medication to deal with their stress while one in twelve drink more.

Shane Kelly of the IACP said tips for dealing with stress include regular exercise, spend time walking outdoors, listening to music or sitting quietly to clear you mind during breaks from class, studying or work.

“Seek the support of friends and family when you need to “vent” about situations that bring on stressful feelings”, he added.

Read: Counselling and Psycotherapy – Experience and Attitudes>

Read: HSE confirms deaths of two mental health patients>

Major report explores reasons behind male suicide>

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Comments (21 Comments)

  • Mjhint 01/10/12 #

    Counselling is not widely available to people with mental health issues unless they pay for it. If you find it too expensive then a group called Cosceim counselling can help you get low cost counselling & the price is based on what you can afford. This is a very good service & one that I myself avail of.

    Reply
    • CBT is available on the NHS in the UK. The chances of it ever being available here in the public health service is, unfortunately, very unlikely. Its such a shame that treatment for mental health disorders are largely out of reach for those who need them the most.

      Reply
  • I’ve done it twice and it really does help talking to a stranger about your problems cause if tell people ya know you just hear the same things over and over would recommend to anyone !!!

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  • If anything, Its a sign of Success. There’s something rewarding about being able to open up to a stranger. Like a weight being lifted off you. The Idea that going to a councilor is weak or is a failure is complete hokum.

    Reply
  • Whenever I get stressed about anything, money, work, etc… a nice long walk with the dog is a great fix.

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  • I’m a counsellor in the midlands, if anyone needs counselling and they can’t afford it please email me and we can discuss it. Please don’t suffer in silence. Confidentiality always applies

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    • Mjhint 01/10/12 #

      Maire thank you. Its only recently that I have come across people like you offering to help vunerable people. It completely changed my outlook with regards to professionals like you. The public are all to keen to criticise but not enough is done to show the good work being done by people like yourself.

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    • The mere concept of living in the midlands would almost make me want to seek professional help. Sorry I couldn’t resist that one so please desist from posting indignatious comments and stomping on the red thumb.

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    • I am also a counsellor CBT (not in Ireland ) what I find very useful is connecting with clients who can only afford to attend when they have enough money, is contact by email, and the Net, on line counselling is very effective

      Is there hospital (free) support for clients ? and I’m talking about sessions not psy ward ?
      How is mental illness supported by family and friends, or do people find that most people want it tobe hidden, hence going down the Pub or taking a bottle home every night
      Big problem with young people suffering poor mental health who end up on the Streets ?
      When I was young and growing up in Dublin no one talked about it at all, it was a case of, ‘pull your self together ‘ and get on with it , and what ever you don’t tell any one !

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    • Marie, can you please tell me what access to mental health service do the NGO’s provide ?
      There is a lot of free or low cost services available here in West Australia, we also have fly in fly out psy’s for the Mining sites.
      Australians never stop tell any one who will stand still long enough, how bad the health services are in Oz and it really annoys me when I know what it is like in other countries.
      I can have some one in detox with in 2 weeks, or placed in a pys ward the same day as required, sounds like its much harder in Ireland

      Reply
  • Councilling is not freely available in this country. Many in need of the service cannot afford it. If you need someone to talk to call the Samaritans. They will not be able to help in a practical way and their service is not the same as given by a counsellor you would pay but sometimes just talking about your problems out loud maybe for the first time helps you get things in perspective.

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  • im like a councellor behind the bar every day. A man in the other day was worried about going bald,I told him to get a David Davin-Power wig, problem solved

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  • Jaysus lads calm yourselves. I wasn’t demeaning anyone and a little alcohol isn’t quite the same as hitting the booze nor is it necessarily always the wrong option.

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  • Thats a good photo of the Editor…..

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  • I think I’m the 1 in 12. Without a little stress, alcohol ceases to have meaning.

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  • Since we are prevented from commenting on the raid carried out by Sinn Fein on Allied Irish Banks today then we have to use unfair tactics to criticise it and this story will do in giving us cover.
    These thugs who are practiced in the illegal entry of banks should be arrested and charged with breaking and entry.

    Reply

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