The Irish Support Agency is committed to assisting the Irish Australian community of NSW with their mental health needs.
As expats, the Irish community can face significant challenges when living away from home. Without our close family and friendship networks, dealing with the pressures of daily life can sometimes appear overwhelming. Luckily, the Irish community is a strong one, and one that comes together to support those who are experiencing crisis or distress. Prevention of mental ill-health and suicide are core pillars of the Irish Support Agency’s work. We promote a sense of connection and social inclusion in our outreach work to help to combat the triggers that can lead to mental ill-health.
With that in mind, the Irish Support Agency have developed a number of culturally sensitive initiatives that the irish community can avail of.
Mental Health First Aid Training
The Irish Support Agency kicked off their Heath & Wellbeing Program in Spring 2016 with Mental Health First Aid training for Irish Community groups thanks to funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs' Emigrant Support Program. The rationale was to build the capacity of individuals, families, organisations and communities so they can contribute to the reduction of mental ill-health, suicide and related impacts.
Mental health first aid is the help given to someone developing a mental problem or in a mental health crisis. Regular first aid courses are widespread, however most of these courses do not address how best to support those with mental health problems. Mental Health First Aid training aims to fill this gap and can equally save lives.
SOLAS is a recently introduced mental health support service developed by the Irish Support Agency to facilitate access to essential Mental Health supports for our community.
The Irish Support Agency has seen a significant increase in the number of clients seeking our help for mental health issues whether that be anxiety/depression, psychoses, or addiction issues. This has clearly been exacerbated by the challenges of the global pandemic. Our overwhelming experience to date is that many who are struggling, prefer to speak to someone who is culturally sensitive to the challenges of the Irish expat community here in Australia, the ‘tyranny of distance’, compounded by the pandemic fallout and cost of living pressures.
We have been working to expand our network of supports and have now linked in with a number of Irish-born qualified mental health practitioners to increase the options available to our clients.
SOLAS is a subsidised counselling service open to all members of the Irish Australian community living in NSW. A fully subsidised service is available to those experiencing financial hardship.
Unfortunately due to funding and capacity constraints, we have taken the difficult decision to suspend the SOLAS service for new clients. If you are experiencing difficulties with your mental health, please contact us to discuss access to other supports. Registered members of Central Coast GAA and Bondi Gaels should continue to apply to access counselling support.
We have put together a list of qualified, Irish Australian Mental Health Practitioners, who offer in person and online support to the Irish Community in NSW. The Irish Support Agency (“ISA”) makes no recommendations, guarantees or endorsements regarding the quality of service you might expect from any of the registered mental health practitioners listed here. Clients of the ISA should satisfy themselves as to the qualifications, experience and suitability of the practitioners listed.
In no event shall the ISA be liable to any user of the listed practitioners for the voluntary and personal selection of a practitioner, the services provided by the practitioner or any other damages that may result from the use of a practitioner. Any person choosing to utilise the services of a practitioner listed, enters into a private contractual arrangement with that practitioner with respect to payment terms.
Dóchas are our monthly health and wellbeing webinars designed to promote the mental health and wellbeing of the Irish Community in Australia.
Each session explores a different aspect of health and wellbeing, guided by the latest evidence and facilitated by an expert in the field.
They are broadcast on the first Monday of the Month at 7 pm via Zoom, and we encourage audience participation to have your questions answered by our contributors.
The webinars are also available in podcast format, so you can listen to them on the go, whenever it suits.
Shoulder to Shoulder aims to provide a safe space where men are asked to come together, to share and listen their own experience with mental health.
The event is facilitated by trained professionals in the mental health space. The day consists of a number of contributors and interviews, offering new insights and learnings about masculinity.
Previous contributors have included Tadhg Kennelly, Ciaran Gribbin, Ronan MacDomhnaill and Ciaran Davis.
Topics that have been discussed at Shoulder to Shoulder:
Pressures of being a professional athlete
Financial Wellbeing
Lived experience of addiction
Lived experience of attempted suicide
Lived experience of depression
Managing your mental health
Women for Women
A Women’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Event
Women for Women aims to provide a safe space where women are asked to come together, to share and listen their own experience with mental health.
The event is facilitated by trained professionals in the mental health space. The day consists of a number of contributors and interviews, offering new insights and learnings about why women should, and need to prioritise their mental health.
Although women are more likely to seek professional help for mental health issues, there is still an indelible need to focus on real and honest conversations amongst our friends and family.
Topics that have been discussed at Women for Women:
Avoiding the wellbeing overwhelm
Financial Wellbeing
Lived experience of addiction
Lived experience of suicide of a loved one
Lived experience of anxiety
Managing your mental health