SOSAD Dundalk to introduce session fee amid funding shortfall
The fee will be charged to new users of the service across the northeast
Mental health charity SOSAD Ireland has announced it will begin charging new clients €15 per session from May 19, due to a significant drop in donations and fundraising over the past 18 months.
The organisation, which provides vital mental health support across the region, including Dundalk, is struggling to sustain its free service model.
Carol Murphy, General Manager of SOSAD Ireland, said the decision was not taken lightly: “In order for the service to continue we have made the difficult decision to charge new clients €15.00 per session from the 19th of May. We are trying to source more sustainable funding and are currently in the process of applying to the HSE for section 39 funding.”
SOSAD currently provides individual counselling sessions to an average of 620 people each week.