Christine Wynne of SOSAD Cavan says it's all about "securing the future" and being in a position to provide services without worrying about rent and bills getting paid.
According to Christine, the service year on year is expanding right across the board in order to provide that service to the best of it's ability, SOSAD must keep it's doors open without worrying about how to keep them open.
SOSAD have issued the following statement.
SOSAD Ireland, a life-saving mental health and suicide prevention charity, has been abandoned by Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD. On 5th November, the Minister promised emergency funding for November and December. Over a month has passed since that promise, with no funding or communication from the Minister. As demand for SOSAD Ireland's services grows exponentially, this silence puts lives at risk and threatens the future of the charity.This leaves SOSAD, which supports over 700 people weekly, on the brink of collapse.
This year, SOSAD has delivered 21,402 hours of free counselling- up 20.43% from last year - through its 6 offices in Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, and Laois, as well as nationwide through remote services. Despite this extraordinary demand, SOSAD receives no core government funding and is now struggling to meet its commitments.
Carol Murphy, General Manager of SOSAD Ireland, says: "Minister Butler gave her word. She promised emergency funding and a path to sustainability, as of yet she has delivered nothing. This is not just a failure - it is a disgrace. Hundreds of people rely on us every week. If we are forced to close, who will support them?."
SOSAD Ireland respectfully urge Minister Butler to provide the promised emergency funding to prevent closure. Lives are on the line. This failure to act is not just neglect - it is an abandonment of the people who depend on SOSAD's services to save and rebuild their lives.
