More than 15,000 counselling sessions will be provided each year to support men’s mental wellbeing under a new €2 million government initiative.
Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler has announced the funding package aimed at expanding access to mental health services tailored specifically for men. Set to launch next month, the initiative seeks to reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking behaviour, and offer more accessible counselling options to men across Ireland.
“This is a much-needed initiative to widen access to supports for men—from mental health promotion activities to counselling and specialist services,” said Minister Butler.
The new services will be integrated into the primary care system, allowing general practitioners to directly refer male patients during consultations. Men will also be able to access these supports independently through the HSE’s helpline and online platforms. A targeted national marketing campaign to raise awareness will commence in September.
The initiative will focus on three key areas:
- Expanding counselling and mental health services to offer more flexible access;
- Promoting the full range of mental health supports available to men;
- Evaluating the effectiveness of increased promotional efforts on men’s engagement with mental health services.
Minister Butler highlighted the gender disparity in mental health service usage, noting that women account for two-thirds of all clients in the national counselling service. In contrast, men represent around 80% of suicide deaths in Ireland.
“This imbalance is something we urgently need to address. Men must feel empowered to seek the support they need or to simply talk openly with family and friends,” she said.
Additional funding will also be directed toward targeted supports for young Traveller men through a collaboration with Exchange House, as well as broader public health campaigns such as the Minding Your Wellbeing for Men programme.
“We must break down the barriers that prevent men from speaking up about their mental health,” added Minister Butler. “By making services easier to access and tailored to their needs, we aim to make a lasting impact.”
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