Coronavirus: pandemic has ‘catastrophic’ impact on families
The coronavirus pandemic has had a “catastrophic” impact on many families, a counselling charity has warned.
Relate chief executive Duane Farrell also said conflict between parents was already leading to “huge distress and mental illness” among children.
Mr Farrell said lockdown had created a “perfect storm” of difficulties.
Relate, along with the Catholic marriage guidance charity Accord, is concerned at a spike in calls as lockdown restrictions have eased.
While for some, spending months together with children has cemented their relationship, for others, “it’s been a perfect storm of financial hardship, lack of work, children not at school and none of the normal support networks, and that’s led to frequent, intense parental conflict”.
Mr Farrell’s comments were echoed by Accord which said an emergency helpline set up in early April was “inundated with calls” and that since lockdown restrictions eased, requests for face-to-face counselling have soared.
Over 450 cancers not detected during screening pause
Over 450 cancers and 1,600 pre-cancers have so far gone undetected during the pause in screenings, the Irish Cancer Society has said.
The current pandemic is having a major impact on cancer care and urgent action is needed to ensure that cancer does not become the ‘forgotten C’ during coronavirus, it told a meeting of the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response on Friday.
The society is calling for the Government to urgently address waiting lists for cancer services made worse by the recent lockdown, as well as getting screening services back up and running to the highest level possible.
Family Carers Ireland Seeking Nominations For 2020 Awards
People are being urged to nominate a person for the 2020 Netwatch Carer of the Year Awards. The event recognises the country’s 355,000 family carers for their commitment to care for their loved ones at home. Check www.familycarers.ie
