‘Mental health is not nine to five’ – SOSAD Cavan
Not for profit
Suicide prevention and awareness group, SOSAD Cavan, has once again been shortlisted in the Not For Profit category at this year’s Cavan Tourism and Business Awards.
Christine Wynne is the co-ordinator for the local charity.
“Our primary service is one-to-one counselling, along with a 24-hour phone line, text service and others on our website,” she said.
“We have 35 voluntary therapists and, because of that, we have no waiting lists. We open early and close late because mental health is not nine to five,” Ms Wynne told those at the Pitch Night for the Business Awards last month.
Meanwhile, east Cavan was identified as an area with a deficit in services.
SOSAD Cavan is now providing an outreach service one day per week in Mullagh with the support of EastCavan4Wellness.
SOSAD hosts a hub every Monday in St Kilian’s Heritage Centre, Mullagh. It gives an opportunity for people to call in for a chat, get to know about SOSAD’s services and the pathways to other additional supports. Counselling by appointment can also be arranged.
Ms Wynne says the organisation remains hopeful it can offer that space to other agencies that can provide services that are needed locally.
“Phone calls since January have increase by 33% and we provide support to families at a much-needed time,” explained Ms Wynne of the service, which relies entirely on donations. “All the money that we raise locally through fundraising stays local. Collaboration is the way forward and we know this because we are 13 years in Cavan and we have never lost a client to suicide,” she said. Ms Wynne reminded us of a Dumbledore quote from Harry Potter: “Happiness can be found in the darkest of times if you only remember to turn on the light.”
CONTACT US
SOSAD Cavan is based on 26 Bridge Street, Cavan Town.
The drop-in centre in Cavan is an informal place where anyone can pop in from 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. It can be contacted on 049-4326339.
A 24-hour helpline is available by calling 1800-901-909.