More people sought help from counsellors for anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and relationship problems in the second year of the pandemic compared with the first, a survey of mental health professionals has found. The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) found 82pc of its counsellors reported seeing more anxiety in their clients last year compared with 70pc in 2020. There was a “general upsurge” in clients presenting with various other mental conditions, including eating disorders and relationship difficulties. The IACP began tracking the impact on mental health the pandemic was having in July 2020 among its members, counsellors and psychotherapists. “In our pre-Budget submission, we echoed the comments of the HSE, who warned of a ‘tsunami of mental health needs’ arising after the initial pandemic peak.

Source: Irish Independent March 13, 2022 08:46 UTC