SOSAD Ireland, the leading mental health charity dedicated to offering free, confidential counselling services and providing accessible and compassionate support to individuals grappling with mental health challenges, has announced a substantial expansion in its counselling services over the first half of 2024. 

This impressive growth underscores the escalating demand for mental health services and highlights the significant impact of SOSAD Ireland's efforts in addressing this critical need.

From January 1 to June 30, 2024, SOSAD Ireland delivered a remarkable 11,794 hours of free, one-to-one counselling which is a 23% increase on the 9,620 hours provided during the same period in 2023 and a striking 48% rise from the 7,974 hours offered in the first half of 2022. This growth is a testament to the effectiveness and expansion of their services, driven by a committed team of volunteers and staff dedicated to supporting those in need.

In the first half of 2024, SOSAD Ireland reached 1,251 clients through its one-to-one counselling services, reflecting a 20.64% increase from the 1,037 clients served in the first half of 2023. This growth in client numbers highlights the increasing recognition of the importance of mental health support and the efficacy of our services. Notably, these statistics do not include the additional support provided through group therapies such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

SOSAD'S client demographic is diverse, with 65% identifying as female, 34.45% as male, and 0.55% as non-binary or preferring not to disclose their gender. The age distribution of our clients reveals the wide-reaching impact of our services across different life stages: 4.17% are under 18, 27.35% are between 18 and 25, 24.78% are aged 26 to 35, 17.24% are between 36 and 45, 15.16% are between 46 and 55, and 11.31% are over 55.

The range of issues addressed through their counselling services is extensive. Depression or low mood remains the most common concern, affecting 31% of our clients, followed by anxiety at 21%. Other significant issues include relationship difficulties (10%), stress (9%), bereavement (9%), and trauma (5%). Additionally, 31.8% of our clients have reported experiencing suicidal ideation, underscoring the critical need for early intervention and the essential role of SOSAD Ireland in providing timely support.

Their helpline and messaging services also play a crucial role in their support network. In the first half of 2024, our staff dedicated 101 hours and 53 minutes to phone support through the helpline. Meanwhile, messaging service volunteers contributed 393 hours online, offering remote active listening and suicide intervention support to those in need.

The dedication of SOSAD'S193 volunteer counsellors, both online and in person, has been instrumental in facilitating this growth. Their commitment has ensured that SOSAD Ireland can meet the increasing demand for mental health services across various locations. Notably, our offices have seen significant increases in client attendance: Cavan experienced a 29% rise, Drogheda saw a 15.8% increase, Dundalk had a 25% boost, Laois reported a 26% growth, and Navan achieved an impressive 33.74% increase in client numbers.

SOSAD Ireland’s impact extends beyond national borders, with clients from 25 different counties in Ireland and 32 countries around the world, including substantial numbers from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Western Europe. This international reach reflects the global relevance and importance of the services.