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THERE are times in everyone’s life that they need a listening ear, be it due to stress, bereavement or indeed just life itself.
Unfortunately there is still a stigma attached to the idea that anyone would need to see a counsellor.
I don’t understand why, because counsellors are highly trained professionals who can make a huge difference in helping someone feel better.
If you have a toothache, you visit the dentist, if you have a pain in your leg, you visit your GP, so why if you are feeling depressed is it still in 2015 an embarrassment to visit a counsellor?
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All of us need to change our mindset and need to embrace the power of counselling. Christmas can be a very lonely and depressing time for many and seeing the happy smiling faces all around can only heighten fear and depression that we may be feeling.
Suicide figures are regularly printed about in the press and spoken about on TV and radio, but these figures do not show the face of those who have died by suicide. These figures do not show the heartbroken families and friends that are left behind.
Counselling can, in a lot of incidents change the mindset of an individual who may need to talk to someone directly linked to his or her everyday life.
Recent reports state that four out of ten students in their first year of college will experience mental health issues. So we, as caring adults, be it as parents, aunts, uncles or friends need to take a more proactive approach for setting up college life. It is daunting for any young person to be away from home in a strange town or city.
Essential services like doctors, dentists, opticians are all required for any student in their new surroundings so why not add the number of a local counsellor who could prove vital to the students well being to the list?
While lots of colleges do provide excellent resources to deal with mental heath issues, due to the stigma attached many students are afraid to avail of the services for fear of their peers finding out.
Many of our young people are subjected to huge pressure to have the perfect life due to social media and popular TV programmes.
Watch out for signs of depression in our younger generation. Talk to them; give them the numbers of Pieta House or The Samaritans.
One by one we can break the stigma of mental health issues and suicide. Be kind to people as much as possible, you never know how a friendly smile or a gentle word may be just what a person may need to brighten their day.
Until next week,
Be kind!
Orlagh xx
