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Demand for Pieta services grow as lockdowns continue

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INCREASED DEMAND: Martin O'Sullivan, Centre Manager and Lead Therapist with Pieta in Tralee, says calls for help have increased as the lockdowns go on.

By Michelle Crean

 

As the country continues to get to grips with COVID, one Kerry charity has seen an exponential increase in its services - however, they too had to pivot their traditional face-to-face crisis service.

The first lockdown saw Pieta - which offers a one-to-one therapeutic service to people who are in suicidal distress, those who engage in self-harm, and those bereaved by suicide - shift its client base to phone and video consultations overnight - the second lockdown brought an even bigger increase for help - but this tie around - lockdown three that has had the worst impact on peoples' mental health.

This week, Editor Michelle Crean spoke to Martin O'Sullivan, Centre Manager and Lead Therapist with Pieta based in Tralee about how it's impacting their services.

"Last March, pretty much overnight, straight away every client had to switch to phone and video therapy," Martin explained.

"80 percent of the work is phone and video consultations at the moment. There's a massive jump in the over 18s but also people in their 40s who are seeking help."

While phone and video is an option for clients, Martin said that the seven therapists at the centre in Tralee are available for in-person counselling face to face in a Covid-safe environment and that those who have an appointment can travel past their 5k if necessary.

"Kerry has always been a busy centre but it has increased: during the first lockdown it was up 20 percent on last year. The second lockdown demand for services was higher, and this third lockdown it's higher again. It's the first time in history so many things have shut down. At first it was a novelty being at home, the sun was shining and people had jobs to do. As it goes on all of a sudden people are finding themselves at home with the kids all day, people who were out of work in the beginning may still be out of work, kids are missing their friends and people are stuck in a bubble and miss connecting with theirs. Then there's the people who have the anxiety of catching COVID; there is a huge fear there especially the new second strand."

He added that Pieta is there to help, people just have to reach out and seek it.

There's a 24 hour helpline which can be accessed by calling 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444.

All services are provided free of charge and no referral is needed.

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Chamber pays tribute to late Dick Henggeler

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has expressed condolences following the death of Dick Henggeler, the well-known owner of The Rose Hotel in Tralee. Mr Henggeler passed away peacefully at […]

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Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has expressed condolences following the death of Dick Henggeler, the well-known owner of The Rose Hotel in Tralee.

Mr Henggeler passed away peacefully at his home in Baltimore, USA surrounded by his Aghadoe-born wife Eibhlin (née Moriarty), their son Franz, and other family members.
Dick and Eibhlin purchased The Rose Hotel in 2015 in tribute to their late daughter Dorothy, who represented Washington DC in the 2011 Rose of Tralee Festival.
The Chamber said Mr Henggeler would be remembered for his warmth, good nature and positive approach, as well as for being a forward-thinking and knowledgeable businessman.
“He knew how to run a good hotel and that was and still is very obvious at The Rose Hotel, which is a great success story,” the Chamber said.
It added that continuity of ownership will remain in place, with Eibhlin, Franz, daughter-in-law Amber, and grandchildren Conrad and Rowan continuing to honour Dick’s legacy and vision for the hotel.
“Dick took enormous personal pride in Tralee and all of Kerry and he was always available to generously support any community initiative or endeavour undertaken in Killarney,” the Chamber said.
“He will be greatly missed by all that knew him but he leaves a wonderful legacy.”

He will repose at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Killarney, on Friday (October 17), from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. The funeral will arrive at St Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday morning at 10:00am for Requiem Mass at 10:30am, with burial afterwards in Aghadoe Cemetery. The Requiem Mass will be live streamed at https://www.churchservices.tv/killarneycathedral.

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Beaufort Film Night returns with French drama-comedy

Beaufort Film Night will return on Friday (October 17) at Cullina National School, with a screening of the French drama-comedy The Marching Band. The film tells the story of Thibaut, […]

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Beaufort Film Night will return on Friday (October 17) at Cullina National School, with a screening of the French drama-comedy The Marching Band.

The film tells the story of Thibaut, a successful conductor recently diagnosed with leukaemia. A search for a bone marrow donor reveals that he was adopted and has a brother, Jimmy, a cafeteria worker.
The two meet, discover a shared love of music, and form a strong bond through an unexpected collaboration with Jimmy’s workplace band.
The Marching Band (French title En Fanfare) will screen at 8.30pm. Admission is €7, cash only, and will cover the motion picture licence fee.
The film has a 12A rating and is in French with English subtitles.
Beaufort Film Night is a non-profit community group that screens cultural English and international films that usually do not receive general release in Kerry.
The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office and Access Cinema. Cullina National School is providing the venue.
Further details are available on Beaufort Film Night’s Facebook page @BeaufortFilmNight.

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