Turn2Me – A Call to Government
26th November 2024
Turn2Me, a national mental health charity, has called on the next government to increase investment into free mental health services. The charity, which offers up to six free counselling sessions to adults in Ireland, helps around 10,000 adults every year, and stated that, with increased funding, it could help more people. The charity also emphasised the importance of investing in early intervention before mental health issues escalate.
Turn2Me is funded by NOSP (the National Office for Suicide Prevention, a sub-body of the HSE), and emphasised its gratitude for this core funding, but stated that increased funding could mean helping even more people who badly need access to free mental health services.
Over 40% of people in Ireland experience mental health difficulties according to a 2022 Irish study. A 2023 European Union Report showed that Ireland has the highest difficulty in accessing mental health services in Europe.
“The 2023 State of Health in the EU Country Health Profile for Ireland found that ‘The burden of mental ill health in Ireland is among the highest in the EU’ – Fiona O’Malley, CEO of Turn2Me, said: “Anxiety is by far the most common reported issue in our service users, followed by depression, grief and relationship issues. The testimonies of our users show how vital our services are – services that don’t have long waiting lists. We’re calling on the next government to increase investment in mental health services that are free to the public.”Turn2Me stated it would like to increase its services to teenagers in the future, but this is dependent on funding.
Turn2Me offers up to six free counselling sessions to adults; free, unlimited support groups on anxiety, depression, grief and relationship issues; helpful free articles; and a free ‘Thought Catcher’ online mood diary, all available on Turn2Me.ie
About Turn2Me:
Turn2me was founded in 2009 stemming from the very personal experiences of Oisin and Diarmuid Scollard, who lost their brother, Cormac, to suicide in 2003. In 2013, Turn2me gained the support of the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention to deliver counselling online. In 2019, Turn2me joined forces with ReachOut Ireland to create a space for young people to find information to support their mental health online.
As of September 2021, Turn2me offers adult counselling and peer support services to adults living in Ireland. It helps around 10,000 adults living in Ireland every year with their anxiety, grief, and depression. Turn2Me has helped over 140,000 people living in Ireland since 2009.
