West Cork Crisis Pregnancy Counselling Service Launched
A new crisis pregnancy counselling service was launched in West Cork on the 26th September 2006. Targeted specifically at women who are troubled by an unexpected pregnancy, the ‘West Cork Crisis Pregnancy Counselling Service’ which is based in Skibbereen can be contacted on Locall 1890 252 359 or free text “list” to 50444. The service will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4.00pm – 5.00pm, and will be staffed by professional counsellors who can offer callers support and advice.
The ‘West Cork Crisis Pregnancy Counselling Service’ has come about through a unique partnership between the HSE South, West Cork & Beara Women’s Network & the Crisis Pregnancy Agency. The three organisations have worked together to develop the service.
Mr Ger Reaney, Local Health Manager, HSE South said, “Very often, a lack of awareness of what services are available can be a real barrier to someone seeking help. Raising the awareness of the service in the West Cork area is vital if it is to reach those who need it; today’s event is important as it draws attention to the service and informs people about the kind of help, advice and support that is available to them.”
Ger Reaney, Local Health Manager, HSE South said “This is a major development for West Cork and supplements our Primary Care initiatives in this area”.
Research carried out by the West Cork & Beara Women’s Network in 2003 and by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency in 2004 indicated a gap in the provision of crisis pregnancy services in the West Cork area and funding was made available by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency to establish the service. Research by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency has shown that the local availability of a service, which is free, and available to women of all ages, can increase take-up of the service and reduce the sense of panic for a woman in a time of crisis in her life.
Speaking about the launch of the service, Caroline Spillane, Director, Crisis Pregnancy Agency said: Our research shows that a woman with a crisis pregnancy needs to be able to access counselling services in her local area. One of the main priorities for the Agency is to expand the number of counselling services available throughout the country, particularly in rural areas. I am delighted to officially launch the service today.”
The Crisis Pregnancy Agency (CPA) is a planning and co-ordinating body established to formulate and implement a strategy to address the issue of crisis pregnancy in Ireland through;
• a reduction in the number of crisis pregnancies by the provision of education, advice and contraceptive services
• a reduction in the number of women with crisis pregnancies who opt for abortion by offering services and supports which make other options more attractive
• The provision of counselling and medical services after crisis pregnancy.
An associated leaflet & poster have been produced to help raise the awareness of the helpline and these will be widely distributed throughout West Cork in the coming weeks.
Ends.
For further information, please contact:
Orla McGowan
Programmes and Communications Officer
Crisis Pregnancy Agency
01-8146292
086-3785366
