The �Need to Talk?� initiative, launched by the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin in November 2007, was� prompted by our growing concern about the levels of self-destructive behaviour in Irish society.�
The diocese shares the concern, reflected in many studies, that all too often people experiencing a personal crisis do not avail of any professional help.� There is a need both to provide information and to promote a culture of support around accessing appropriate services.�� Our message is that asking for help is a real strength. This initiative is an expression of our care for the whole community, not limited to any particular group.
Wallet Card
The two services featured on our �Need to Talk?� card are -
Samaritans
1850-609090 (24 hours) jo@samaritans.org
providing confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.
Aware
1890-303302�� www.aware.ie
10am- 10pm 7 days a week
Providing support and assistance to people whose lives are affected by depression
Helplines/Support groups
See below for a range of other support services grouped under the headings of
- suicide prevention
- Safeguarding Children � Counselling in regard to childhood abuse
- financial concerns
- bereavement and loss
- youth and family support
- marriage support
- addictions
- health
Suicide Prevention
Turning the Tide of Suicide
Founded to raise awareness and funding to lower the suicide rates in Ireland through dedicated research, educational support and intervention in the problem of suicide in IrelandNational Office for Suicide Prevention
Irish Association of Suicidology
The IAS set out to be a forum for all individuals and voluntary groups involved in any aspect of suicidology for the exchange of knowledge gained from differing perspectives and experiences.Pieta House
Pieta House offers a specialised treatment programme for people who have suicidal ideation or who participate in self-harming behaviours. In particular, this centre targets people who have already attempted to take their lives � often the forgotten people. This service is free of charge, but donations are welcome. The specialized treatment programme offers a comprehensive service aimed at individuals and their families who are affected by:- Multiple suicidal attempts
- Suicidal ideation
- Continuous self-harming behaviours
Pieta House is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9.00am � 8.00pm, Tuesdays, Fridays 9.00am � 5.00pm, Saturday 10am-2pm on Sunday on Call service 10.00am � 2.00pm
Please feel free to call us on (01) 601 00 00 to arrange an appointment or to find out more.� www.pieta.ie
Safeguarding Children � Counselling in regard to childhood abuse
National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland
Director: Mr. Ian Elliott.
Telephone: 01 505 3018. Fax: 01 5053026
Website: www.safeguarding.ie
Faoiseamh Helpline
Faoiseamh is an organisation which provides telephone counselling and a counselling and psychotherapy referral service for people who have been sexually, physically, or emotionally abused by priests or religious. Our aim is to ensure that the people who contact us receive the best possible help and support in dealing with the events of the past.Free access to a helpline staffed by experienced Telephone Counsellors. This operates on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11.00 am � 8.00 pm, and on Fridays from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm.
Freephone 1800 331234 (Rep. of Ireland) and Freephone 0800 973272 (NI and UK).
Website: www.faoiseamh.com
Connect
Connect is a free phone counselling service for any adult who has experienced abuse, trauma or neglect in childhood. The service is also available to partners or relatives of people with these experiences. With Connect you can talk in confidence with a trained counsellor who can listen or help with questions you have.Connect is an out of hours service available Wednesday to Sunday, from 6-10pm.
To speak to a counsellor call: Freephone 1800 235 235
Website: www.connectcounselling.ie
Click on link to download � Services for adults abused in Institutions
National Counselling Service (NCS)
The HSE National Counselling Service (NCS) is for adults who were abused in childhood and was established in September 2000 in response to the recognition that a large number of adults had been abused as children while in care in State institutions in Ireland. The NCS offers confidential face to face counselling, free of charge, to adults who experienced physical, emotional, sexual abuse or neglect during childhood. Counselling is available at 60 locations throughout Ireland.For an appointment at a location of your choice Freephone: 1800 235 234
More information at: www.hse-ncs.ie
Health Service Executive (HSE)
Social Work & Child Protection Services can be contacted through your Local Health Office.Carlow/Kilkenny Area: 059/9136587 (Office Hours)
Kildare/ West Wicklow Area: 045/882400 (Office Hours)
Laois Area: 057/8678236 (Office Hours)
Offaly Area: 057/9322488 (Office Hours)
An Garda Sioch�na
To report an incident of child abuse contact your local Garda station
Click on link to find the station in your area � www.garda.ie/Stations
Financial Concerns
St Vincent de Paul Society
01-8386990
www.svp.ie
Money Advice & Budgeting Services
1800 283438
www.mabs.ie
Kilcock, Co. Kildare � 01 6284466
Newbridge, Co. Kildare � 045 435558
Carlow Town, Co. Carlow � 059 9140977
Portlaoise, Co Laois � 057 8661727
It�s Your Money
Independent information on financial products and services to help you make financial decisionsBereavement and Loss
Console
supporting and helping people bereaved through suicide1800 201890
www.console.ie
Kildare Suicide Bereavement Support
045-895629 and 086-8554852
Irish Sudden Infant Death Association
Offers support to families bereaved by Sudden Infant Death and others affected by it1850 391391
www.iol.ie/~isidansr/home.htm
Rainbows
A peer-support programme to assist children,youth and adults who are grieving a death,separation or other painful transition in their family01-4734175
www.rainbowsireland.com
Young People/Family Support
Spunout
SpunOut.ie aims to guide young people through life with quality information, support and inspiration as well as providing a platform for young people to express their opinions, realise that they are not alone and get heard.Childline
Childline is 24-hour service for children and young people up to 18 years of age1800 666666
www.childline.ie
Teenline
Sometimes we can let things pile on top of us, it can be hard to figure a way out,talking may seem scary, but it helps when there�s someone there to really listen. Who ever you are��. Wherever you are from�� What ever the problem��. Contact Teenline Ireland free-phone
1800 833 634
www.teenline.ie
Barnardos
Barnardos supports children and families through providing a number of direct family support services located throughout the country1850 222300
http://www.barnardos.ie/
Parentline
support, guidance and information on all aspects of being a parent1890 927277
www.parentline.ie
Kildare Youth Services
working with young people in County Kildare045 897893
www.kys.ie
Laois Youth Services
working with young people in County Laois057 8665010
laoisyouth2002@eircom.net
Carlow Youth Services
working with young people in County Carlow
059 9130476
www.carlowys.ie
Chaplain to Carlow IT
059 9142632
Fr Rory Nolan
Marriage Support
Accord
Providing access to information and support, if you are preparing for marriage, seeking to enhance your existing couple and/or other relationships, looking for help with marriage and relationship difficultiesColumba Centre, Maynooth 01 5053112;
www.accord.ie
Parish Centre, Newbridge 045 431695;
St Catherine�s, Carlow 059 9138738
Parish Centre, Portlaoise 057 8661581
Health Issues
Age Action
Age Action Ireland is the national independent organisation on ageing and older people01 4756989
www.ageaction.ie
Alzheimer Society of Ireland
Offering direct access to practical information and emotional support for people with dementia, their carers, families and friends1800 341341
http://www.alzheimer.ie/
Bodywhys
Support for people affected by eating disorders.1890 200444
www.bodywhys.ie
Carers Association of Ireland
1800 240724
www.carersireland.com
CURA
Offers support and help to those who are faced with a crisis pregnancy1850 622626
www.cura.ie
Irish Cancer Society
1800 200700
www.cancer.ie
Irish Patients Association
01 2722555
www.irishpatients.ie
Headway
Works with carers, families and indiviudals affected by Acquried Brain Injury.Helpline number 1890 200 278
Helpline Monday to Friday 9am � 1pm 2pm � 5pm.
Mental Health Ireland
Promoting positive mental health and actively supporting persons with a mental illness, their families and carersAddiction Services
Alcoholics Anonymous
01-4538998
www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie
Alanon/Alateen
Gamblers Anonymous
01-8721133
www.gamblersanonymous.ie
Narcotics Anonymous
01-6728000
www.naireland.org
