Health Trust officials visit local Lifeline helpline office
11/07/2012
.jpg)
Several representatives from the Western Trust, led by Trevor Millar, Director of Adult Mental Health and Disability, recently visited the Lifeline Therapy Centre in Strand Road to get first-hand information on the Lifeline service and the contribution that the local team makes to this important regional service.
“Our city centre Lifeline counselling hub provides crisis response Freephone counselling for the entire NI population in support of the Belfast Lifeline HQ. We also provide face to face brief solution-focussed counselling to ensure our callers receive immediate, confidential support.
“It’s important that local people know they can call Lifeline for themselves or a loved one at any time of the day or night when they most need support, understanding and help.” said Colette Ramsey, Lifeline Western Trust Area Manager.
For eight hours per shift, five times a week, local counsellors working in Lifeline’s Strand Road centre take calls from people needing immediate crisis help.
The small team of experienced, qualified crisis counsellors take over from the Belfast Lifeline HQ ensuring seamless cover and free, confidential 24/7 regional crisis support of all ages on 0808 808 8000.
Lifeline answered just over 90,000 calls last year with an additional 21,000 follow-up counselling and support sessions attended throughout the region.
Mr Trevor Millar, Director of Adult Mental Health and Disability Services, Western Trust said: “When things go wrong in our lives, the most reassuring words for those in distress or despair are, ‘you are not alone in this’. Lifeline offers support at any time of the day to anyone in distress, especially when tough times turn to thoughts of suicide.
Lifeline complements statutory Mental Health services and can provide the instant help required when immediate support is necessary. We commend Lifeline for the excellent work undertaken in the Western Trust area. It is reassuring callers will receive direct counselling provision, with no waiting lists and it is heartening this essential regional service operates from Derry City centre every week. We would encourage anyone in distress and despair to call Lifeline, don’t hesitate as excellent help and support are just one call away.”