Sharp rise in Laois people availing of counselling services

SOSAD (Save Our Sons And Daughters) Ireland reports that the use of their counselling services in Laois is up 26% in the first half of 2024.

To date, the Laois SOSAD branch has offered 1578 counselling sessions this year, with 90 active clients.
They offer 26 counsellors who are both in training and qualified.

"The general public are always welcome to arrive at the door," said one SOSAD representative.

"Naturally we do have an appointment system but people are welcome to just walk in, have a cup of tea and fill out an intake form, and we will have an appointment date booked within 48 hours - the appointment might be the following week but they will have a date within 48 hours. Any of the team in Laois are happy to chat!" they said.

The non-profit organisation have delivered nationally a staggering 11,794 hours of free, one-to-one counselling from January 1 to June 30, 2024. 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.

While Laois came in at a growth of 26%, Cavan experienced a 29% rise, Drogheda saw a 15.8% increase, and Dundalk had a 25% boost. Navan achieved a whopping increase of 33.74% in client numbers.

"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," said SOSAD representatives.

The Laois office are currently appealing for more volunteers.

SOSAD Ireland have announced a substantial expansion in its counselling services in 2024. This growth is simultaneous with the escalating demand for mental health services in Ireland. The group currently has 193 voluntary counsellors nationally. 

"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," a representative of the charity said.

The age distribution of clients was revealed as follows: 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," said the charity.

"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," they said.

The charity's helpline and messaging services also play a crucial role in their support network.

In the first half of 2024, SOSAD staff dedicated 101 hours and 53 minutes to phone support through the helpline.

Meanwhile, their messaging service volunteers contributed 393 hours online, offering remote active listening and suicide intervention support to those in need.

"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," the charity said.

SOSAD Ireland is a leading mental health charity dedicated to offering free, confidential counselling services. Their mission is to provide accessible and compassionate support to individuals grappling with mental health challenges, guiding them through their journey toward recovery and well-being. 

The charity relies solely on the generosity of the local community and a small few corporate donors to keep services going, as they are not government or HSE funded. 

Information on upcoming fundraisers can be found on their Facebook page.

SOSAD Ireland are available 24/7 year-round at 1800 901 909.