Tara Keogh takes a deep dive into SOSAD, the Irish mental health charity that is providing free support to those who need it most, through their most recent annual review.
SOSAD – Save Our Sons And Daughters. While it may seem a simple message, there is nothing simple about the work this charity does.
SOSAD is a small Irish charity for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. They have just published their Annual Review and the work this charity has accomplished is astounding and well worth recognition by all.
Firstly, who is SOSAD and what do they do? This charity was founded in 2003 when its founder, Peter Moroney, tragically lost his son to suicide. Since then, the charity organisers and its volunteers have worked tirelessly to try and prevent further deaths to suicide by providing free assistance and counselling to those who need it most. The charity’s first centre opened in Drogheda in 2008 and they now have six locations across the country – in Cavan, Drogheda, Dundalk, Navan, Laois, and Monaghan. The mission statement of SOSAD is to deliver care and support to people through life’s challenges with a personal yet professional approach. They aim to raise public awareness about mental health issues and suicide prevention as well as advocating for those needing these services and support. The charity runs multiple services for those suffering with mental health issues, along with providing education and information for others on this topic.
The mission statement of SOSAD is to deliver care and support to people through life’s challenges with a personal yet professional approach.
SOSAD runs a free 24/7 helpline, with fully trained volunteers always ready to lend a listening ear, no matter the problem. They also provide free counselling and crisis support, which is absolutely vital in reducing the number of deaths by suicide in this country. This year alone, SOSAD accumulated 19,364 hours of free counselling sessions provided! This is not to be underestimated, as affordable counselling is a huge barrier to so many who desperately need this therapy. The review details how 1,647 individuals were supported by SOSAD services, with many varied mental health issues throughout the year. The counselling supports people suffering from depression, suicidal thoughts, and those who have been bereaved by suicide. Along with counselling, the charity provides drop-in services, where people can attend a local centre just for a chat, without needing an appointment. This may sound like a small thing but you can never underestimate the impact a community resource like this can have for someone who feels alone, scared, or unimportant.
Affordable counselling is a huge barrier to so many who desperately need this therapy.
SOSAD’s website is also extremely useful as a mental health educational and assistance resource. The website has links to videos and podcasts, where trusted volunteers or other qualified people discuss their challenges or other’s challenges in regards to mental health issues and suicide prevention. This website has a personal feel and connection, assisting in people feeling less alone in their struggles with mental health. Along with links for mental health issues, the website can also help people access all types of support for whatever issues they may be facing- from drug or alcohol abuse, to housing and homelessness problems.
This innovative and tirelessly hardworking charity is entirely deserving of the many awards and accolades it has received throughout the years. Their work has been acknowledged through excellent support of fundraising for the charity. It is important to acknowledge and spread awareness of this charity as the work they carry out is so important and the services it provides can be life saving. The help line number found at 1800-901-909 is easy to access, along with all the ancillary services they provide. SOSAD also has a weekly newsletter, which you can sign up to on their website, this provides information on all news, updates and services being provided by the charity.