GPA launches 24 Hour Members Counselling Help Line for Christmas Period
Friday December 23 2011
The Gaelic Players Association has set up a 24 hour confidential counselling help line for its members during the holiday period including Christmas Day.
The service is an addition to the GPA's nationwide Personal Counselling Programme established last year consisting of a team of experienced psychologists accessible free of charge to county hurlers and footballers.
Given the level of uptake for the counseling service over the first year and a half, the GPA felt it was appropriate that a 24 hour service should be available during the Christmas holidays, a time when personal issues can often manifest themselves.
Commenting on the provision of this new service, GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell said: "When we established our confidential Counselling Service as part of the GPA's Health and Wellbeing Programme, we assumed it would be a very slow burner, particularly given the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
"However, we have been taken aback by the level of engagement with the psychologists. This is of course a positive thing that players are coming forward to discuss their personal problems which is essential for good mental health. Because of the demand we felt it important that a 24 hour service should be made available during Christmas, when people experiencing personal difficulties can be particularly vulnerable. It's an identical service to that made available to rugby players through IRUPA.'
The free confidential helpline can be accessed by GPA members in the Republic at 1800201346 and in the North on 08082345183.