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"This is such a VITAL service for suffers like me"

About: Sligo/Leitrim Mental Health Services

(as a service user),

I was fortunate enough to be referred to a member of staff called Mary for diet & weight management. From day one I felt totally at ease with her. I felt I could say anything and there was no judgement. She was so much in touch with the painful reality and daily struggle of an eating disorder. She gave me great insight into how I think and why I think that way. We talked about so many issues -dietary ones, Problem solving,building body acceptance, dealing with stress, relaxation, adjusting negative core beliefs, dealing with set backs etc.

I realised that there are many different factors affecting my eating habits- programmed thoughts, negative beliefs, emotions to name a few. By doing all this work with Mary I began to understand myself better but much more importantly, accept myself a little more. I met Mary at one of the lowest points in my life and she contributed hugely to putting me back on the road again. My quality of life has definitely been enhanced by the experience of working with her.

This is such a VITAL service for suffers like me. Please, please continue to fund this service and ideally expand it.

There is such need out there for help with food/ body issues. It is a very lonely place to be and in my earlier life there was no understanding and no help available. It was a hellish existence and I don’t know how I survived it alone. Support is so essential. Please make this available to more people.

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Responses

Response from Joanne O'Halloran, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Sligo/Leitrim Mental Health Service, HSE 5 years ago
Joanne O'Halloran
Senior Clinical Psychologist, Sligo/Leitrim Mental Health Service,
HSE

I meet with service users and sometimes with their families. I assess psychological problems and provide psychological interventions in an effort to help service users overcome their difficulties.

Submitted on 15/04/2019 at 13:27
Published on Care Opinion at 14:54


picture of Joanne O'Halloran

Dear Abgie,

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience of attending the Eating Disorder Services here in Sligo/Leitrim and for your lovely words about Mary which I will share with her.

It is really great to read that the treatment you received has been so effective. Thankfully there are more and more specialised services being provided within mental health and the local Eating Disorders Service is one of these.

Wishing you well in your continued recovery.


kind regards,

Joanne.

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