The launch of free counselling sessions for men took place at the National Ploughing Championships on Tuesday 16 September.

Over 15,000 free counselling sessions are to be provided to men annually through their GP or on the yourmentalhealth.ie website, over the phone and in-person.

The funding is targeted at reducing the stigma around mental health and to actively encourage men who otherwise would not usually avail of counselling to seek help with their mental health.

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Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal at the launch, Minister of State for health Mary Butler said that the remote supports will be especially beneficial for farmers who can access counseling from the comfort of their home.

"These new supports will make it easier for men to access help when they need it and to meet them where they are at – in a field, in an office or at their kitchen table.

“We know that women are more likely access to counselling services than men, with women making up two thirds of all clients availing of our national counselling service. However, around 80% of all people who die by suicide are men," she said.

Support

The initiative is supported by €2m in recurring funding secured by Minister Butler from Budget 2025, as part of an integrated series of initiatives led by the minister to ensure people with mental health difficulties are able to access the appropriate range of supports, from mental health promotion and prevention, through to specialist services and clinical programmes.

Speaking at the launch, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Michael Healy-Rae said that the majority of farmers are men and studies show that they have a relatively poor record when it comes to seeking support on their mental health.

“This initiative will help those in need of these important counselling services and will strengthen the range of initiatives being funded by my Department on farmer mental health and wellbeing such as On Feirm Ground and other projects funded under the recent open call," he said.