Support after meningitis
Home visiting
Professional counselling
Bereavement Support
Sharing Experiences
Home visiting back to top
After a referral from a doctor or health professional we can arrange for a home visit, for face-to-face support at a time when you feel you need it most. You can talk to someone who understands meningitis and meningococcal disease, as well as finding out what other help is available to you.
If you would like a home visit, call our 24-hour nurse-led helpline on 1800 523 196 and we can tell you more.
'I didn’t know who to turn to when my daughter suffered pneumococcal meningitis. I found out about the Meningitis Trust from the internet and called the helpline. I was offered a home visit which took place a few weeks later. It gave me the chance to talk about my concerns to someone who listened and had an understanding.'
Professional counsellingback to top
Would it help to talk through your experience of meningitis? Counselling provides time and space for you to talk to someone who will listen. You won’t be judged or told what you should do. You can explore difficult feelings in a safe, confidential environment. The Meningitis Trust has a team of trained counsellors around Ireland supporting sufferers, their families, and anyone directly affected by meningitis. If you would like to find out more about the counselling service or request free counselling sessions, please contact our 24-hour nurse-led helpline on 1800 523 196.
Stephen was 56 years old when he became ill with meningococcal meningitis. He called our helpline to get information about the disease and went on to have face to face counselling sessions with one of our counsellors. Stephen said, 'I found the sessions really helpful. 'I wouldn't have managed without it. My counsellor was so supportive and helped me understand the issues I was going through. The times with the cousellor helped me come to terms with the fact that life will not be the same from now on but with support I will continue to be independant.
Bereavement Supportback to top
Bereavement is a distressing, but common, experience, and the death of someone you love following meningitis or meningococcal septicaemia is always traumatic and painful.
We aim to provide help, information, understanding and support for people who tragically have had this experience.
For many, the suddenness of the disease and the speed with which it develops is both shocking and overwhelming. Families are left feeling stunned and traumatised, sometimes within a matter of hours. For many people, the idea that an infectious disease can have such a devastating effect in the 21st century is hard to understand.
Most people know very little about meningitis and septicaemia until they are affected by it. Many unanswered questions about the disease, and the emotional reactions to grief, are likely to cause confusion for individuals and families.
How we can help you
We recognise that you may find it difficult to ask for help after someone close to you has died. We can offer support in many ways, including providing a home visit and professional counselling service. Counselling is an opportunity to talk in confidence to someone experienced in listening to people in distress. It focuses on the emotional crisis and the life changes that you may be experiencing.
Our counselling team and trained staff provide a listening and support service for as long as you need it. Please phone our helpline to find out more about our free counselling service.
Sharing Experiences back to top
Would it help to talk to someone with a similar experience of meningitis? The Meningitis Trust's 'One to One' service can put you in touch with someone who knows what it's like when meningitis affects your life. You can use phone or email to talk to a One to One contact. Call our 24-hour nurse-led helpline on 1800 523 196 if you would like to be put in touch with a 'One to One' contact.
