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 should continue to apply to access counselling support.
SOLAS is a new 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, particularly during this very difficult time, prefer to speak to someone who is culturally sensitive to the challenges of the Irish ex-pat community here in Australia, the ‘tyranny of distance’, compounded by the border restrictions.
We have as a result 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.
The Irish Support Agency acknowledges a foundation grant from The Light Ball in support of the SOLAS service as well as generous donations from both The Ireland Funds and The Lansdowne Club to facilitate the expansion of the service to as broad a base as possible within NSW.
If you would like further information, please fill out your details below and a member of the team will be in touch.
Listen to our Outreach Worker, Katerina, discuss the vital role SOLAS has played in our community.
If you are a practitioner and you would like to join the SOLAS program, please complete the details below and a member of the team will be in touch.
