SOSAD sees 25% increase in client attendance in Dundalk
SOSAD reached 1,251 clients through its one-to-one counselling service in the first six months of this year
SOSAD Ireland has said that its Dundalk office has seen a 25% increase in client attendance, with the charity revealing that it reached 1,251 clients through its one-to-one counselling service in the first six months of this year.
In a statement last Friday, SOSAD Ireland said that it is “delighted” to announce a substantial expansion in its counselling services over the first half of 2024, showcasing a notable increase in both the number of hours of support provided and the clients assisted.
This impressive growth, it said, 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. This achievement represents a 23% increase compared to 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 our services, driven by a committed team of volunteers and staff dedicated to supporting those in need”, it added.
Throughout the first half of 2024, SOSAD Ireland has 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.
SOSAD Ireland said that “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)”.
It continued, “our 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 our 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.
“Our helpline and messaging services also play a crucial role in our support network. In the first half of 2024, our staff dedicated 101 hours and 53 minutes to phone support through the helpline. “Meanwhile, our messaging service volunteers contributed 393 hours online, offering remote active listening and suicide intervention support to those in need.”
Pointing to the work carried out by its volunteers, SOSAD Ireland said that “the dedication of our 193 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.”
It further added, “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 our services.”