‘Lives are on the line’... SOSAD has accused the Minister for Mental Health of abandoning it

Local mental health and suicide prevention organisation SOSAD has accused the Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler TD of abandoning it, claiming she failed to deliver on promised emergency funding for November and December.

Save our Sons and Daughters (SOSAD) has been providing vital suicide prevention and bereavement services in the north east since 2007 and relies entirely on voluntary fundraising and donations. In October, it warned that it may have to close its doors due to a funding crisis.

The charity met with Minister Butler in November and claims that emergency funding was promised for November and December but that over a month has passed since that promise, with no funding or communication from the Minister.

As demand for SOSAD Ireland’s services grows exponentially, it says this silence puts lives at risk and threatens the future of the charity, leaving SOSAD, which supports over 700 people weekly, on the brink of collapse.

This year, SOSAD has delivered 21,402 hours of free counselling- up 20.43 per cent from last year - through its six offices in Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, and Laois, as well as nationwide through remote services.

The total number of sessions offered in Meath (Navan/Duleek/Stamullen) in 2024 so far was 4,683 and the total number of clients seen in Meath so far this year is 407.

The three main issues people are presenting with include depression/low mood (38%), anxiety (17%), relationship issues (10%).

Duleek and Stamullen are home to SOSAD's outreach centres for those who are unable to travel to Navan, and these open one day a week

Despite the extraordinary demand, SOSAD receives no core government funding and is now struggling to meet its commitments.

Carol Murphy, general manager of SOSAD Ireland, said: "Minister Butler gave her word. She promised emergency funding and a path to sustainability, as of yet she has delivered nothing. This is not just a failure - it is a disgrace. Hundreds of people rely on us every week. If we are forced to close, who will support them?”

"SOSAD Ireland respectfully urges Minister Butler to provide the promised emergency funding to prevent closure. Lives are on the line. This failure to act is not just neglect - it is an abandonment of the people who depend on SOSAD’s services to save and rebuild their lives."

When contacted about the failure to provide the promised funding to keep the service going, a spokesperson for Department of Health said: "Minister Butler and officials from the Department of Health had a productive meeting with SOSAD in November 2024. Since this meeting, officials have been in contact with both SOSAD and the HSE to progress actions from the meeting.

"Minister Butler understands that the HSE has been in direct contact with SOSAD to progress actions arising and that both parties are in communication. Minister Butler recognises the important contribution SOSAD make to counselling service in north-east Leinster, and has asked Department officials to keep her up to date on engagements with the charity".