Minister for Mental Health announces launch of free talking therapy sessions as part of €1 million fund

Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD today announced the launch of talking therapy sessions on a no cost basis to individuals impacted by the pandemic.   

NGO partner MyMind will provide up to 16,500 counselling and psychotherapy sessions, in over 15 languages, through a €1 million dedicated fund.    

Minister Butler commented that “this funding is part of the €10 million, once off, additional allocation for mental health announced on Budget Day to further enhance the experiences of people using mental health services and supports. 

“The talking therapy sessions are for people particularly impacted during this time, whether through personal experience of Covid-19 eg. bereavement, isolation, depression, anxiety; working on the front line; or through the economic effects of the pandemic including those working in the creative arts, entertainment or hospitality.”  

The delivery of these supports is a continuation of an initiative that commenced in 2020 that was funded from the Sláintecare Integration Fund. As part of this initiative MyMind delivered approximately 22,000 counselling and psychotherapy sessions to date.  

With the free sessions now available, MyMind CEO Krystian Fikert said: “As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the need for access to high-quality mental health support for all has never been greater. The impacts of Covid-19 on Ireland's mental health are already becoming evident, with some of us having to deal with bereavements and a sense of loss, some with feelings of isolation and loneliness, and some with severe anxiety as we seek to move on from the worst of the pandemic. Many have also had their professional lives severely impacted. All of this is on top of the many other factors affecting good mental health in Ireland. It is therefore so important that we take action to look after our mental health now.” 

All talking therapy appointments delivered through this project will be provided by MyMind and will be carried out online via video call or phone call. Full eligibility criteria can be found on MyMind’s dedicated web page: COVID-19 Project: Free online counselling (video and phone) | MyMind 

Minister Butler concluded that “we speak a lot about the importance of early intervention, and supports being available when and where they are needed. This is why I have provided additional funding for talking therapy that is easy to access and free to those who need it most.”