SUPPORTING adolescents in coping with daily stress and to maintaining sound’s mental health will be the theme of a free lecture on Wednesday September 3 at 6.30pm at Clarion Hotel, Steamboat Quay, Limerick. With Limerick’s recorded rates of admission for psychiatric distress and for suicide ahead of other counties, the talk is a precursor to training and qualifications in the arena of professional help.
“Tools and tips” for parents and guardians in dealing with responses to distress, advice on flagging help and maintaining health are on the agenda.
Deirdre Kelliher, a secondary school teacher and guidance counsellor, is a qualified professional counsellor and PCI College lecturer.
She will address the open audience of adults and youths on will speak ‘Key Issues in Adolescent Mental Health & Ways to Build Resilience’.
It is a timely opportunity to attend and listen to an authority in this troubled area with school and college challenges and unemployment coming to the fore. The rate of child admissions to psychiatric services in Limerick is 49.9 per 100,000 people, above the national average of 37.9.
The suicide rate in Limerick City at 13.9 per 100,000 is also above the national average, though in the county it is slightly lower at 11.3.*
According to Ms Kelliher, “It is vital that as parents, friends and supporting adults we understand the issues that adolescents are facing, their stages of development and how best to communicate with them. We can help them to deal with stress and pressures and to learn strategies to cope with their problems and build resilience for everyday life.
“On Wednesday September 3, we will give an overview of these key areas and outline some practical tips and tools that adults can use to best support their teens and strengthen their mental health”.
PCI College Limerick’s foundation Certificate and BSc (Honours) degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy courses begin in September, with both courses taught at the Limerick Education Centre.
The Certificate is an introduction to the theories, skills and process of counselling, including personal development and can lead on to the four year part-time degree which qualifies students as counsellors/psychotherapists and prepares them for professional accreditation. Refer on to www.pcicollege.ie
