At the National Ploughing Championships on 16 September 2025, Ministers Mary Butler, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Martin Heydon and Michael Healy-Rae launched a new suite of counselling and talk therapy supports tailored specifically for men.
The initiative will deliver more than 15,000 free sessions annually, supported by €2 million in recurring funding from Budget 2025. The services aim to reduce stigma around men’s mental health, encourage help-seeking, and provide timely support to those in crisis.
Key elements of the new supports include:
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Free phone counselling through Connect Counselling (1800 477 477), now operating seven days a week.
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Over 1,250 additional counselling referrals under the Counselling in Primary Care scheme, open to men regardless of medical card status.
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5,000 free sessions via MyMind, available both online and in person, promoted in multiple languages.
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The six-week Minding Your Wellbeing for Men programme, focusing on self-care, awareness and social connectedness.
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Enhanced supports for young Traveller men through Exchange House, and for ex-service personnel through the Organisation for Ex-Service Personnel.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Mary Butler highlighted that while women are twice as likely to access counselling, around 80% of people who die by suicide are men. She emphasised the importance of meeting men where they are, whether “in a field, in an office, or at their kitchen table.”
Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill added that making services more visible and accessible will encourage men to talk more openly about their mental health, while Minister Martin Heydon and Minister Michael Healy-Rae welcomed the positive impact for farmers and rural men, who often face unique challenges in seeking support.
The initiative is part of Ireland’s national mental health strategies Sharing the Vision and Connecting for Life, which recognise talk therapies as a first-line treatment for many mental health difficulties.
All information and access points are available at: www.yourmentalhealth.ie/men.