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	Thousands Use HSE Counselling Service Irish Health May 20, 2009 http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=15545 Almost 18,000 people have contacted the HSE National Counselling Service, a free service for adults who have experienced the trauma of abuse or neglect in childhood, since it was set up in September 2000. The service provides counselling and psychotherapy to help people cope better with their life and relationships. It is specifically dedicated to adult survivors of childhood abuse of any type. Priority is given to adult survivors of abuse in institutions, who represent a significant number of clients attending the National Counselling Service. Because the service was set up at the same time as the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, when survivors of institutional abuse applied to attend the Commission most also took up the opportunity to have counselling to support them following their hearing at the Commission. The report of the Commission is due to be published today. It was established to examine the abuse experienced by thousands of children who attended state-run institutions. The report is expected to outline the emotional, physical and sexual abuse inflicted on young people who attended schools and institutions from 1940 onwards. The National Counselling Service also provided support for survivors of institutional abuse who travelled from abroad to Dublin whilst attending the Commission and assisted them in locating suitable services in their country of residence when they returned home. "Usually people contact us when they feel they cannot cope with their daily lives - they may be feeling overwhelmed by memories of their childhood; they may be feeling isolated and lonely because they find it hard to develop relationships with other people," said Rachel Mooney, director of counselling with the HSE in South Dublin. "We accept each person as a unique individual and they determine the pace of the counselling process. It takes courage and commitment to begin the counselling journey, and we offer a safe and confidential place for people to be heard, frequently for the first time ever," she said. Almost 70% of all referrals are 'self-referrals' made directly by the client themselves. Other referrals come mainly from the Mental Health Services of the HSE, and GPs. Sexual abuse is the most commonly reported form of abuse, with 70% of males admitting that they experienced sexual abuse in childhood either on its own or in addition to another form of abuse (neglect, physical and/or emotional abuse). The figure for women is 76%. Counselling is available at 60 locations throughout Ireland and can be accessed by phoning 1800 235 234 for an appointment at a location of your choice. The HSE also funds a complementary out of hour's professional telephone counselling service, called Connect. Connect provides out of hours telephone counselling for adults who have experienced child abuse from Wednesday to Sunday, 6pm to 10pm. Calls are free of charge on 1800 235 235.
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