Charity encourages people from Kildare to access its services if they’re feeling low over Christmas

A HSE-supported charity has encouraged people from Kildare to access its services if they’re feeling lonely, depressed, or anxious over the Christmas period.

Turn2Me is encouraging people from the county to avail of its free counselling sessions, free support groups and free 'Thought Catcher' mood diary over the Christmas period.

The charity’s CEO, Fiona O’Malley, said that many people can struggle over Christmas with anxiety, grief, depression, loneliness, and difficult family dynamics.

She said: "If anyone needs Turn2Me’s services, please, please, please use them: that’s what they’re there for."

Ms O' Malley added: "Some people who sign up for our services say they were initially hesitant because they didn’t want to ‘take away’ a slot from someone who might be worse off than them.

"Our support groups can facilitate large numbers and they run most evenings at 6pm. It’s not a matter of taking a slot away from someone else if you sign up.

She continued: "Mental health services should be accessible to everyone; oftentimes when people delay seeing a therapist or put off signing up for a support group, their mental health difficulties can exacerbate, so I would definitely tell people not to wait."

Ms O' Malley said that we should all 'prioritise' our mental health, as it impacts every single element of our life.

She also pointed out that Turn2Me offers up to six free counselling sessions, unlimited and free support groups, and a free 'Thought Catcher' mood diary, which runs every day from 2pm until 8pm.

Turn2Me runs one-to-one counselling and support groups 365 days a year, including on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Stephen’s Day.

The charity runs daily support groups on anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues and stress at 6pm.

In addition, it is also running 'Christmas Blues' support groups from the 25th December until January 1.

Anyone who wants to avail of Turn2Me’s free, professional mental health services over the Christmas period can sign up on Turn2Me.ie. 

BACKGROUND

Turn2me was founded in 2009 stemming from the very personal experiences of Oisin and Diarmuid Scollard, who lost their brother to suicide in 2003. 

In 2013, Turn2me gained the support of the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention to deliver counselling online.

Then, in 2019, Turn2me joined forces with ReachOut Ireland to create a space for young people to find information to support their mental health online.

As of September 2021, turn2me offers adult counselling and peer support services to adults and young people aged 12 plus.

It also offers group support services for teenagers, young people and adults.