Pat's Answer

Hi, you are very welcome to Ask Pat.  

Thank you for reaching out to Ask Pat and telling us how you feel. We know it’s often not an easy thing to do but we also know how great it is for young people to share their problems. Talking about and sharing what is going on for you is a big step forward. 

It sounds like you are having a difficult time and you are saying you need to go into care. You are very brave for wanting to speak about this and you have the right to get help and support for feeling this way. You say that you need to go into care and that may make it difficult to open up to someone in your family about this, would there be another trusted adult in your life who you could talk to? This could be an aunt, uncle, grandparent, teacher or an adult that you feel comfortable speaking with.  

Childline would be happy to talk to you about why you need to go into care and explore what this may feel like for you. Perhaps you could give us a call on 1800 66 66 66 or a text at 50101 or even have a web chat with us through www.childline.ie so that we could help you look at the options that are available to you should you need more help. The services are free and confidential and are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Childline does not trace phone numbers or IP addresses and we really put values on your feelings and thoughts. You have a right to be safe and a right to talk to an adult you trust about your situation. There are also some articles on the Childline website which you may find useful: https://www.childline.ie/info-advice/.  

There are also other organisations out there that may be able to help you. Túlsa is the Child and Family Agency in Ireland. The social workers within Túlsa are there for young people under the age of 18 years, and their job is to make sure that children and young people are safe at home. If you would like to get in touch with them or get information, you can find your local Túlsa office here: www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/local-area-offices/ . You may need the support of an adult to help you with this. 

Thank you again for getting in touch and sharing how you are feeling, as we appreciate that this can be very difficult to do. Mind yourself and know that Childline is here for you whenever you feel you want to share more. 

Take care, 

Pat