Counselling
Do you Need Someone to TALK Too?
ScEEN in Kerry are here to help you on the right path if you are needing to talk to someone right now. Our Resource Hub provides the appropriate Community and Helpline referrals that you can use to help you through this time.
Many LGBT+ people are open about their sexual orientation or gender identity, but being LGBT+ can still lead to specific challenges that can have a negative impact on your overall mental health. LGBT+ people have to deal with the normal stresses of everyday life as well as other challenges they may face such as:
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Coming Out
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Isolation
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Harassment & Bullying
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Transphobic Discrimination
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Losing a Partner or Spouse
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Relationships
How Counselling can HELP You
Getting help with issues you may be struggling to deal with on your own is one of the most important things you can do. Don’t suffer in silence. You should get help as soon as you feel the need. It’s never too late to get help, no matter how big or small your problem might seem. Talking with a counsellor trained to work with LGBT+ people may help you deal with issues such as:
- Difficulty accepting your sexual orientation
- Coping with other people’s reactions
- Feeling your body does not reflect your true gender (gender dysphoria)
- Transitioning
- Low self-esteem
- Self-harm
- Suicidal thoughts
- Depression from long-term effects of bullying and discrimination
- Hostility or rejection from family, friends or your community
Getting HELP – Counselling Supports
Speak to your GP about how you are feeling. They will know what help is available and can help you decide which treatment is best for you. When discussing your situation, try to be as honest as possible so they can find the best support for you. You can also contact the following local counselling services.
Kerry Adolescent Counselling Service (KACS) provides specialised one to one counselling and psychotherapy to adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. Call (066) 7181333 or email:kfrcs20@gmail.com.
Southwest Counselling Centre provides professional, affordable counselling to children, adolescents, adults, couples and parents. Call 064 6636416/ 064 6636100 or email: info@southwestcounselling.ie
There are 12 Family Resource Centres’ in Co. Kerry who provide or can refer you on to low cost counselling services. There contact numbers are as follows:
- Listowel Family Resource Centre: 068 23584
- Ballyspillane Community & Family Resource Centre (Killarney): 064 6635589
- BUDS Family Resource Centre (Ballyduff): 066 7148883
- Duagh Family Resource Centre: 068 45333
- Kenmare Family Resource Centre: 064 6642790
- Kerryhead/Ballyheigue Family Resource Centre: 066 7116961
- Killorglin Family Resource Centre: 066 9762933
- Castlemaine Family Resource Centre: 066 9767833
- Shanakill Family Resource Centre (Tralee): 066 7127831
- Shannow Family Resource Centre (Abbeydorney): 066 7198018
- South West Kerry Family Resource Centre (Caherciveen): 066 9481000
- St Brigid’s Community Centre (Tralee): 066 7128521
“The biggest challenge of it all is yourself. I found it very difficult, I always thought it would go away and when I realised it wasn’t going to it was like someone pulling the legs out from underneath you. Coming out is about self-acceptance.”
Getting Help – Listening Supports
Check out our Resource Hub and source the right supports for you. If you’re struggling to cope right now and would like to speak to someone immediately, please contact the following Helpline and Textline listening supports.
- Samaritans – Call the Samaritans on 116 123. They offer a safe place for you to talk about whatever’s on your mind at any time. The Samaritans are available to you 24 hours a day.
- The National LGBT Helpline provides a confidential, listening, support and information service to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The service is also used by people who are questioning if they might be LGBT, as well as the family and friends of LGBT people and professionals looking for information. The service operates Monday to Thursday from 6.30pm to 10pm, Friday 4pm to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday from 4pm to 6pm. Visit www.lgbt.ie or Call: 1890 929 539
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TENI (Transgender Equality Network Ireland) provides a Gender Identity Family Support Line. Call 01 907 3707. Available Sundays, 6pm to 9pm and Tuesdays, 10am to 12pm.
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Pieta House provides a telephone and text-based support counselling service for people who are suicidal or engaging in self-harm. Freephone 1800 247 247 every day 24 hours a day orText HELP to 51444 – standard message rates apply
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Crisis Text Line Ireland provides a confidential messaging support service. Text TALK to 086 1800 280. It’s operates every day, 24 hours a day – standard message rates apply.