Education Minister, John O’Dowd MLA, congratulated New Life Counselling on the 18^th anniversary of the organisation at an event in Stormont today.

New Life Counselling, which is based in North Belfast, is a registered charity and community based organisation which has been delivering counselling and therapeutic support to clients of all ages since 1993.  To celebrate 18 years of counselling New Life Counselling has launched a special publication called “Eighteen years on we’re still listening”.

During that past 18 year period New Life Counselling has delivered support to more than 18,000 clients, including 13,000 children, 400 adults and 350 families.

Attending the launch and celebration event Minister for Education, John O’Dowd praised the work of the organisation, stating: “The counselling provided by New Life is an integral part of the service delivered by my Department to schools right across the north in ensuring that young people can talk to someone about how they are feeling. Emotional health and wellbeing is no longer a taboo subject and it is vitally important that young people look after this aspect of their health, so young people can achieve their personal potential through professional counselling and therapeutic services. 

“I congratulate New Life Counselling on 18 successful years of helping children and young people tackle difficult issues in their lives and overcome obstacles to learning and wish them every success for the future.”

New Life Counselling delivers counselling services in community and school based settings throughout Northern Ireland, dealing with issues such as suicide prevention, depression, self harm, bereavement, relationship difficulties and drug and alcohol abuse. Over the past 18 years it has carried out over 156,000 counselling sessions, delivered by 130 specially trained counselors.

Current Chairman, Seamus Barnes, has been in contact with the organisation since its inception in 1993. He explained its impact:

“Over our past 18 years, I have seen lives changed, improved and saved due to the support provided by our counseling staff.  We have grown from an organisation serving a small community in our local area, and expanded our services to help adults, and young people in communities across Northern Ireland.

“Sadly the levels of mental health problems continue to rise - particularly in young people. We will provide services for anyone that comes to us.  However, we require sustained support to maintain our services, in order that we can continue to intervene in the lives of those that require our help.”

The publication “Eighteen years on we’re still listening” tells the stories of many of those whose lives have been transformed by the work of New Life Counselling.