by Louise Doyle
AN organisation rolling out free online counselling in Donegal for those impacted by defective blocks is calling on healthcare facilities with spaces available to rent to make contact in order to offer face-to- face sessions.
MyMind is extending free counselling, psychotherapy and psychological support sessions to those whose homes have been damaged by the use of concrete containing excessive amounts of mica or pyrite.
Funded by the government, the initiative forms part of the recently launched Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme.
Sessions will be available to individual clients aged 18 and over, who are registered to the scheme.
MyMind currently delivers a blended model of online and face-to-face services across the country but it currently has no physical presence in Donegal.
To facilitate in-person appointments, MyMind is exploring potential opportunities to partner with primary healthcare facilities, such as GP clinics/family resource centres, that may have space available to rent and is appealing to any potentially suitable facilities to make contact.
Appointments will be limited to six per person and offered on a first-come-first-served basis.
To access the services, clients are required to firstly register an account at mymind.org and then contact the MyMind team directly, either through 0818 500 800 or hq@mymind.org.
This is the latest in a line of government-funded projects through which MyMind has been able to provide free therapy to specific priority groups over recent years.
Initially set up to support people suffering from long-term impacts of Covid-19, the 2022 Free Counselling Project was extended to those impacted by chronic illness, events in Ukraine, and defective concrete blocks.
That project delivered more than 15,000 free appointments before drawing to a close in March but since then, MyMind has been working tirelessly to secure additional funding to provide free and low-cost services and this latest offering comes in the wake of a similar initiative to support Ukrainian refugees.
A not-for-profit social enterprise, MyMind works towards giving every person in Ireland equal access to mental health support early, affordably, directly, without stigma or delay, with revenue generated from full fee-paying clients used to support reduced fees based on employment status.
MyMind believes that early intervention is the most effective way to prevent mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress from escalating and, to date, we have engaged with over 35,000 people from communities across the country.
Free counselling for those affected by defective blocks will also be provided in counties Clare, Mayo and Limerick.
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