Counselling
Ask Miriam on 16 Jun 2021
Dear Miriam: I feel anxious in crowds
Dear Miriam, since things opened back up again I’m feeling anxious while out in pubs and restaurants
Contributor on 21 Apr 2021
Podcast: Help for the families of people with depression
A reader has written to us regarding her husband who suffers from depression and the effect it is having on her and their children. We have asked Claire Forde, a counsellor from Kerry, to respond
Contributor on 21 Apr 2021
Your mental health: 'We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails'
Focusing on a carers’ own mental health and well-being is vital. Finola Colgan, development officer with Mental Health Ireland writes about supporting the supporter.
Amii McKeever on 14 Apr 2021
Do you access the full range of body and mind benefits of your health insurance?
There are tangible links between our mental and physical health. It can be hard to know which is leading and which is following. Taking proactive steps to protect both is a step in the right direction
Katherine O'Leary on 20 Jan 2021
Katherine's Country: shame on us then and shame on us now
Having lived through 39 years of the 76 years that the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes covers, Katherine describes a time when girls were terrified of being shunned by society.
on 30 Dec 2020
My depression: am I cured? No, but I know how to manage now
Farmers Journal sub editor, Brian Murphy explains the emotions he experienced before his diagnosis with depression. He wants readers to recognise the signs and reach out.
Hannah Quinn-Mulligan on 04 Nov 2020
Rape crisis support services more vital than ever
The number of calls to the Rape Crisis Midwest more than doubled during the pandemic, proving that it’s as important as ever to people in need, writes Hannah Quinn Mulligan
Ask Miriam on 28 Oct 2020
Everything I worked so hard for is gone
Dear Miriam, I feel lost and lonely without my family; everything I worked so hard for is gone
Margaret Hawkins on 21 Oct 2020
'Hollyblue House helps people get away from cancer for a while'
The Gort Cancer Support Centre has blossomed from two-rooms in the old tech to Hollyblue House: a detached house with space to welcome all those who need help, writes Margaret Hawkins
Margaret Hawkins on 09 Sep 2020
Palliative care: it's much more than you think
Confusion over what the term 'palliative care' means can result in people shying away from this valuable support early on, writes Margaret Hawkins in advance of Pallative Care Week from 13 September
Mairead Lavery on 05 Aug 2020
People still need to be comforted
Death comes to us all and over time we have developed strategies to mourn the dead and comfort the living. COVID-19 changed all that leaving people struggling with their grief. Mairead Lavery reports.
Maria Moynihan on 10 Jun 2020
Pregnancy loss during the COVID-19 pandemic
While pregnancy loss is heart-breaking in “normal” times, COVID-19 has made the experience even more challenging. But those on the frontline continue to provide support, writes Maria Moynihan
Margaret Hawkins on 27 May 2020
COVID mental health crisis
A surge in demand for mental health services and supports post-COVID is being flagged, writes Margaret Hawkins
Ask Miriam on 27 May 2020
I'm so trapped now and can't seem to see any light
Dear Miriam, I'm so trapped now and can't seem to see any light at the end
Odile Evans on 29 Apr 2020
Piecing it together: a career in research psychology
Most mental health difficulties in adulthood start before the age of 25. Research coordinator at Jigsaw, Dr Ailbhe Booth, analyses the data to make sure the supports in place are effective
Ask Miriam on 29 Jan 2020
‘I hate my mother because she treats my father badly’
Dear Miriam, I hate my mother because of how badly she treats my father
on 25 Dec 2019
My Country Living: a jack of all trades
Ronnie White is a master of many trades as he is a farmer, a teacher and his latest venture is to train to become a councillor for farmers. In conversation with Gillian Richardson
Ask Miriam on 04 Sep 2019
'I have endured bad times in my marriage... I was used as a doormat'
Our readers write: We have also experienced tough times in our marriages
Mairead Lavery on 01 May 2019
'Talking about the death of my dad touched a nerve for a lot of people'
Talking about the death of my dad and the impact it had on The Cutting Edge touched a nerve for an awful lot of people. Here’s an excerpt from the correspondence I received, writes Mairead Lavery
Margaret Hawkins on 20 Feb 2019
Vets on call
Vets’ lives – what stresses are impacting their mental and physical health every day and what can be done about it? Margaret Hawkins talks to Naas-based large animal vet, Kevin McConnell, about this