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23 Oct 2025

Mental health charity closes vital service

SOSAD Ireland have made a sad announcement this week

Mental health charity closes vital service

At the 2022 opening of the SOSAD Laois office Volunteers Irina Volia and Helena Kavani with Carol Murphy, general manager SOSAD Ireland and Grace Ennis, Laois SOSAD co-ordinator.

Reporter:

Hannah Cahill

03 Mar 2025 12:53 PM

Email:

hannah.cahill@leinsterexpress.ie

SOSAD Ireland have announced the closure of their messaging services. 
This service allowed the public to speak to a team member over text, any time between 8pm to 12am. 

It was beneficial for people struggling with their mental health in urgent need of a shoulder to lean on.

"We are devastated to announce that, as of Tuesday, March 4, 2025, our Messaging Service will close," SOSAD Ireland announced.
"This is a decision we never wanted to make, but with the lack of sustainable funding, difficult choices have had to be made to ensure we can continue providing the support we can.
"This service has been crucial to so many, and its loss is truly heartbreaking," they said.
"We are fighting every day to keep SOSAD Ireland open, but the reality is that some services, like this one, simply cannot be maintained under the current circumstances.
"Our 24/7 Freephone Helpline (1800 901 909) will remain open, and our free counselling services will continue, but we need your support."

The charity have asked the public to consider donating to keep the services running.
In 2024, SOSAD Ireland provided over 22,243 hours of free-of-charge counselling, and saw a 48% uptick in client users since 2022.
The charity supported over 1,914 clients in the past year, with users from 28 Counties Supported.
"We are available 365 days a year on our 24/7 helpline at 1800-901-909," the charity said.
"Here’s to making a difference together, one hour, one call, one message, one chat at a time".

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