A NEW initiative aimed at reducing levels of emotional stress and suicide has just become available in Strabane.

The Lifeline initiative comprises of a free 24/7 confidential telephone counselling service and local, on-the-ground counselling and complementary therapies support. Lifeline is delivered on behalf of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPSNI) by Contact Youth in partnership with a contractor network of local counselling and therapy providers. Last week, Zest-Healing The Hurt Ltd, Derry was announced as the first organisation covering the Strabane area to be awarded a Lifeline Contract.

Commenting on the contract, Norma Patterson, corporate director, Contact Youth said the Centre would be providing very valuable support to people in the Strabane area with a range of emotional problems.

"This is the first time that a service of this kind has been available in Northern Ireland and it is open to people of all ages, all backgrounds and all personal circumstances," she said. "I would urge anyone in Strabane with an emotional issue to seek help through the Lifeline. Our role is to listen and to support, never to judge.

"Callers to the helpline are connected directly to a trained counsellor who listens to their problems in confidence and seeks to define the specific help and support they need. If appropriate, the telephone counsellor will then arrange for the caller to receive an appointment for face-to-face counselling or other therapies in their local area within 7 days.

"Following that appointment a package of support will be devised for the individual and delivered by the local counselling organisation over a given period."

To contact Lifeline, you can freephone them today on 0808 808 8000 in complete confidentiality.

'Callers to the helpline are connected directly to a trained counsellor who listens to their problems in confidence and seeks to define the specific help and support they need.'