Free counselling service offers support for carers
FAMILY Carers Ireland, Wexford Resource Centre (WRC) has set up a new free online counselling service for the 11,677 carers in the county.
The service was set up in recognition of the fact that family carers often live with higher levels of anxiety, depression and stress than the general population, a situation which has been amplified by the pandemic and resulting lockdown.
It is estimated that family carers save the State €10 billion each year by caring for their loved ones at home.
Those wishing to access this service can do so by contacting the WRC at 053 9140511 or via the National Freephone Careline 1800 24 07 24.
Susan Eccleston, Carer Supports Manager, Family Carers Ireland, Wexford Resource Centre, said, ‘Our Careline has been inundated with calls from family carers who are struggling with their emotional well-being at this time. With much of the supports and services now closed the demands of their caring role and the additional challenges faced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic is taking its toll on their mental wellbeing.
Family Carers Ireland is pleased to announce the introduction of a free online counselling service to help support our members.’
The Counselling Service offers a safe, non-judgemental space for family carers to talk about and work through any problems or difficult feelings they are experiencing such as stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, burnout or depression with a qualified professional.
Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, no faceto-face counselling is taking place in Ireland, however family carers can engage with a qualified counsellor by phone or through a secure video link.
The new Counselling Service is one of many supports that family Carers Ireland has put in place including liaising with other national bodies to deliver services to vulnerable family carers across its network. Other supports include:
Online Weekly ‘Carers’ Coffee Club’ on the charity’s Facebook page each Thursday at 11am offering expert advice during the Covid-19 crisis from some of the county’s top health experts. Emergency Care Plan booklet that is available to download from www.familycarers.ie with soon to come 24/7 emergency response service to support family carers in crisis. Online training (e.g. Patient Moving and Handling theory) .Distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to family carers in need. Intensive Carer Support programme – involving assessment of family carers needs and provision of services to support them in their caring role.