Up to 16,500 sessions are to be provided.
Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler has announced that thousands of free talking therapy sessions are to be offered to people impacted by Covid-19.
According to a statement on the Government’s website, counselling and psychotherapy service MyMind will provide up to 16,500 sessions, in over 15 languages, through a €1 million dedicated fund.
The 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, for example: 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,” Butler said.
Welcome announcement from @MaryButlerTD of free counselling and psychotherapy sessions for people impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
More details: https://t.co/xlZjDtuwyM pic.twitter.com/Zx4CgCjz70
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) February 1, 2022
“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.”
All of the talking therapy appointments delivered through the project will be carried out online via video call or phone call.
The free sessions are now available, with full eligibility criteria to avail of them available on MyMind’s website here.
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