Crisis pregnancies among topics seen by West Cork Counselling Service

POST-termination issues were among the topics dealt with by a West Cork counselling service last year, according to the organisation’s latest annual report.

West Cork Counselling and Support Services (WCCSS) was established in 2006, initially providing crisis pregnancy and post-termination counselling in the West Cork area. However, it is now catering for people from all walks of life.

The organisation’s annual report detailed how 17 clients reached out for help with unplanned or crisis pregnancy counselling in 2022. An additional five presented at the centre for post-termination counselling.

Beginning as a crisis pregnancy service, WCCSS has since expanded its services in line with issues arising in communities.

Their expertise also includes migrant support and life event counselling. WCCSS chairwoman Teresa O’Sullivan explained how far the organisation has come in recent years.

“Initially, we were established in the crisis pregnancy service, so we were able to access funding from the HSE through their crisis pregnancy programme,” she said. “Then we expanded to more mainstream counselling. We have that additional funding through Section 39 to provide low-cost counselling services for the local community in West Cork.

“All of our staff are part-time, which means there are a set number of hours for each month.

“It’s normally limited to six sessions per client, but sometimes we need to exceed that.

“However, because of clients’ circumstances, there has to be a bit of flexibility.”

“We have a very close relationship with local GPs, Cork University Maternity Hospital, as well as the Sexual Health Centre in Cork city, and referrals tend to come through to us from a number of organisations.”

Ms O’Sullivan said that confidentiality is hugely important to people accessing their services.

“People don’t always want to avail of an opportunity in their immediate locality, which is why we have an outreach service in Skibbereen,” she said. “When it comes to issues like post-termination, the issues might not present themselves until two or three years later.

“It’s important to let people know that they can come to us anytime.”

She explained that online support often is not enough for people in dire circumstances.

“Loneliness can be a huge issue in these parts, which is why a lot of the time speaking to someone virtually isn’t enough. People are craving that face-to-face contact.”

Other issues dealt with by the organisation include anxiety, bereavement, depression, grief, as well as illness and health-related matters. To find out more, visit https://wccss.com