THE GAELIC PLAYERS Association [GPA] has announced that the number of county players accessing their Confidential Counselling Service trebled in 2013.
That figure is part of the Association’s annual review of the service, which provides a dedicated members’ phone line, one-to-one counselling and residential treatment for players suffering distress in their lives.
94 players had engaged with the service by the end of October 2013, a massive 203% growth in the number interacting directly with the programme this year. The GPA’s review is also intended to highlight the availability of the programme throughout the Christmas holidays – including Christmas day – and to outline the GPA’s internal mental health campaign for 2014.
“We have published this short review of our Mental Health Programme today firstly to highlight the increase in the level of engagement from county players with this service,” said Chief Executive Dessie Farrell, ”and secondly to draw attention to the availability of the nationwide service over Christmas, a period which can sometimes prove difficult for those in distress.
We also want to indicate our intention to establish a specific campaign in 2014 aimed at encouraging players to engage with our mental health program and services with a focus on changing the culture within our membership.
“The death by suicide of Galway’s Niall Donohue has sharpened the focus on our challenge. We know we must redouble our efforts to make sure that the young men in society struggling with distress are encouraged to engage with support, that we hear the call and recognise the signs of their distress.”
The GPA service is strictly confidential, but trends are articulated by the counsellors, showing that depression and gambling addiction represent over half of the cases presented in 2013. Three players have also received residential treatment care for addiction issues.
GPA Member Line – Freephone Republic of Ireland 1800 201 346 and from Northern Ireland dial 0808 234 5183
