A major mental health milestone has been reached in Ireland, with more than 2,000 men now accessing free counselling support in the first six months of a new national initiative. Announced on gov.ie by the Department of Health, the update highlights a growing willingness among men to seek help early, while the Health Service Executive (HSE) and community partners continue expanding pathways into care.
The programme, introduced in September 2025, has already delivered over 13,300 counselling sessions. That level of demand underlines both the scale of mental health need and the value of removing barriers such as cost, stigma and complicated referral routes. The initiative was backed by recurring funding through Budget 2025 and forms part of a wider approach across Health and Social Protection services to improve access to early intervention.
How the free counselling initiative is working
According to gov.ie, men can access support through GP referral, dedicated phone services and linked community-based routes. Sessions are being delivered by the HSE’s Counselling in Primary Care service alongside MyMind, which offers counselling in more than 20 languages.
This matters because mental health access is not one-size-fits-all. Some men may be more comfortable speaking to a GP first, while others may prefer telephone support or a direct connection through trusted organisations. The simplified model reflects a broader public service focus on accessible care, something also seen across bodies such as the Citizens Information Board and the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), where clearer access pathways improve outcomes.
- More than 2,000 men supported since launch
- Over 13,300 counselling sessions delivered
- Free access through GPs and dedicated phone supports
- Multilingual counselling available through MyMind
- Targeted outreach for higher-risk groups
Why this matters for men’s mental health in Ireland
The figures are especially significant during Men’s Health Week because men remain less likely than women to engage with counselling, despite being disproportionately affected by suicide. The government’s response, published via gov.ie, is tied to Ireland’s newer suicide prevention strategy and to Sharing the Vision, the national mental health policy framework.
The Department of the Taoiseach, Department of Health and HSE have increasingly framed early intervention as a core part of public health policy. In practical terms, that means talk therapies are being positioned as a first-line option for many people with mild to moderate mental health difficulties, rather than waiting until problems escalate into crisis.
Importantly, the initiative is not limited to the general population. Partnerships are also reaching men who may face additional barriers, including Travellers, veterans and men from ethnic minority communities. This more tailored approach reflects a wider government trend also visible across Education, Justice, Further and Higher Education, and Children/Disability/Equality policy areas, where targeted supports are now central to service design.
Read more: Free GP care expansion in Ireland
Targeted supports beyond standard counselling
The initiative includes several specialist strands that go beyond traditional clinic-based appointments. Connect Counselling’s freephone support line now operates seven days a week, while former Defence Forces personnel can access dedicated counselling and phone supports through the Organisation for Ex-Service Personnel. Exchange House has also received support to expand youth mental health services for young Traveller men.
There is also a preventative dimension. The Minding Your Wellbeing for Men programme focuses on self-care, social connection and practical resilience-building over six weeks. That preventive emphasis mirrors how agencies from HIQA to the CSO and Revenue Commissioners increasingly inform evidence-led planning across public services.
Explore: Ireland mental health services update
What happens next
The Department of Health and the HSE are evaluating the programme to measure both reach and effectiveness. That assessment will be important in determining whether current funding levels remain sufficient and whether additional channels are needed for men who still do not engage with support.
For now, the early results are encouraging. A service highlighted on gov.ie has shown that when counselling is free, visible and easier to access, men do respond. With continued backing from the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and community partners, this could become one of the more important mental health interventions currently underway in Ireland.
Insight: Public health campaigns gaining traction in Ireland
The key takeaway is clear: the progress reported on gov.ie is more than a headline figure. It shows that reducing stigma, widening referral options and tailoring support can help more men take the first step toward better mental health.
