SOSAD downgrading support services due to lack of funding

Suicide intervention and bereavement support charity SOSAD has announced that it is to close their messaging service due to a lack of funding.

The organisation has been struggling in recent months with a lack of resources and an increased demand on their services, including in Meath.

Their messaging service which costs €4,000 a month to run is set to close as of today, Tuesday 4th March.

SOSAD has been providing vital suicide prevention and bereavement services in the north east since 2007 and provides support from six offices in Navan, Dundalk, Drogheda, Cavan, Monaghan and Laois. It also provides remote counselling and operates an outreach service.

In a post on social media, SOSAD said it is "devastated" to announced the closure of its messaging service.

"This is a decision we never wanted to make, but with the lack of sustainable funding, difficult choices have had to be made to ensure we can continue providing the support we can," it said.

The organisation described the service as "crucial to so many", adding "its loss is truly heartbreaking".

However, SOSAD said is "fighting every day" to keep the organisation open.

"If you are able, please consider donating to us, every contribution helps us to continue supporting those who need it most," the post concluded.

Last year, SOSAD said it delivered 21,402 hours of free counselling, up more than 20% on the figure for 2023.

SOSAD’s messaging support service, which is due to end, operated daily from 8pm to 12am.

During these times, a person could send a message via the organisation’s website to a volunteer after which the individual could then be given a referral to one of SOSAD’s offices for extra support, if needed.

Health Ministers and local Govt TDs must intervene to protect essential mental health services at SOSAD Ireland according to Meath East TD Darren O'Rourke who said:

"This is devastating news. The Minister for Health, the Junior Minister for Mental Health and our local FF/FG/Ind TDs must intervene to ensure SOSAD Ireland is funded and can continue delivering these essential mental health services."

Meanehile speaking on The Agenda with Ken Murray on LMFM yesterday Meath East TD and Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne said the government will help SOSAD get funding from the HSE.

"It's a bit ironic because the HSE themselves use the service, send people to the service but they do have certain requirements before they can fund it. I'm not saying this particular service but just funding in general. But we're willing to do whatever we can to make sure that this is, that SOSAD gets the funding that it has clearly shown that it needs and deserves in the sense that the service that it provides is really good."

SOSAD’s 24/7 freephone helpline, which will still remain fully operational, can be contacted on 1800 901 909.