Dear Miriam,
I want to thank you for printing my email on what helplines can support me on 20 September 2014. Your advice has helped me to live a much happier life.
During a breakdown at the end of 2014, I sought help and, eventually in 2015, I was referred to do DBT (dialectical behaviour therapy): a year’s training programme. I completed this course in 2016 and ever since I started it, my ability to cope with difficult issues has become excellent and I now feel like I’m living life to the full, while in the past I was alive but not living a happy life.
So I want to take this opportunity to thank you and Console for the great advice given. I want others to know asking for help is the first step towards building your life again.
Kind regards,
Stephen
Dear Stephen,
Thank you so much for your letter. It really made my day. But I think that you deserve full credit here: first of all, for having the courage to write in back in September 2014 to ask for help, but, more importantly, to follow up on that advice and take a very active approach towards your own recovery.
I am not overly familiar with DBT but, from the little bit that I have read, I can see that it helps people to manage intense emotions and that this form of therapy has been life-changing for you. I think it is great to let people know that there are so many options available now that can make a very real difference to how we feel in ourselves and how we learn to cope with challenges in a much more positive and healthy manner. If other readers would like to learn more about DBT in Ireland, there is quite a lot of information on the HSE website at http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/Mental_Health_Services/dbt/
I really think that you and your letter are inspiring, especially the line where you say that you are now “living life to the full” whereas before you were alive but “not living a happy life”. I suspect that a lot of people will be able to identify with that sentiment and I hope your letter will give any reader who might be struggling right now, the courage to pick up the phone, the same way that you did two years ago, to ask for help and set out on a path towards a much brighter future.
You also pay tribute to the advice given to you by Console, and it is very nice to acknowledge the hard work and care given by those counsellors before that charity was wound up. For anybody reading this today, here are some other helplines and services that may be useful. I don’t think we can ever repeat their details enough, as none of us know when we or perhaps a loved one might need that extra support.
• The Samaritans 116-123: Free to call anytime of the day or night. The Samaritans is available for those who are isolated or just in need of a listening ear.• Aware 1800-80-48-48: Available Monday to Sunday, 10am to 10pm. Aware provides information and support relating to issues of depression and anxiety. If picking up the phone feels a little daunting initially, however, people can also email supportmail@aware.ie. Aware also runs support groups and provides life skills training programmes based on the principles of CBT.• Pieta House: Pieta House provides a free, therapeutic approach to people who are in suicidal distress and those who engage in self-harm. For details of a centre near you, call 1800-247-247.It is also worth re-iterating that people can talk to their GP if they feel comfortable, or to a close family member or friend. The most important thing to know is that you never have to carry the burden alone and that there is always somebody to listen, share and help you to find a way forward.
Your letter shows how possible it is to make real and lasting changes for a healthier, happier life. I truly wish you all the best for the future.
Dear Miriam,
I want to thank you for printing my email on what helplines can support me on 20 September 2014. Your advice has helped me to live a much happier life.
During a breakdown at the end of 2014, I sought help and, eventually in 2015, I was referred to do DBT (dialectical behaviour therapy): a year’s training programme. I completed this course in 2016 and ever since I started it, my ability to cope with difficult issues has become excellent and I now feel like I’m living life to the full, while in the past I was alive but not living a happy life.
So I want to take this opportunity to thank you and Console for the great advice given. I want others to know asking for help is the first step towards building your life again.
Kind regards,
Stephen
Dear Stephen,
Thank you so much for your letter. It really made my day. But I think that you deserve full credit here: first of all, for having the courage to write in back in September 2014 to ask for help, but, more importantly, to follow up on that advice and take a very active approach towards your own recovery.
I am not overly familiar with DBT but, from the little bit that I have read, I can see that it helps people to manage intense emotions and that this form of therapy has been life-changing for you. I think it is great to let people know that there are so many options available now that can make a very real difference to how we feel in ourselves and how we learn to cope with challenges in a much more positive and healthy manner. If other readers would like to learn more about DBT in Ireland, there is quite a lot of information on the HSE website at http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/Mental_Health_Services/dbt/
I really think that you and your letter are inspiring, especially the line where you say that you are now “living life to the full” whereas before you were alive but “not living a happy life”. I suspect that a lot of people will be able to identify with that sentiment and I hope your letter will give any reader who might be struggling right now, the courage to pick up the phone, the same way that you did two years ago, to ask for help and set out on a path towards a much brighter future.
You also pay tribute to the advice given to you by Console, and it is very nice to acknowledge the hard work and care given by those counsellors before that charity was wound up. For anybody reading this today, here are some other helplines and services that may be useful. I don’t think we can ever repeat their details enough, as none of us know when we or perhaps a loved one might need that extra support.
• The Samaritans 116-123: Free to call anytime of the day or night. The Samaritans is available for those who are isolated or just in need of a listening ear.• Aware 1800-80-48-48: Available Monday to Sunday, 10am to 10pm. Aware provides information and support relating to issues of depression and anxiety. If picking up the phone feels a little daunting initially, however, people can also email supportmail@aware.ie. Aware also runs support groups and provides life skills training programmes based on the principles of CBT.• Pieta House: Pieta House provides a free, therapeutic approach to people who are in suicidal distress and those who engage in self-harm. For details of a centre near you, call 1800-247-247.It is also worth re-iterating that people can talk to their GP if they feel comfortable, or to a close family member or friend. The most important thing to know is that you never have to carry the burden alone and that there is always somebody to listen, share and help you to find a way forward.
Your letter shows how possible it is to make real and lasting changes for a healthier, happier life. I truly wish you all the best for the future.
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