Need for State funding for ACT highlighted

Fianna Fáil European election candidate Barry Cowen highlighted the need for State funding for Accessible Counselling Tullamore (ACT) during the visit of Minister of State for Mental Health & Older People Mary Butler to the service last week.

The Minister joined Deputy Cowen, who is running for Europe in the Midlands North-West region, on Thursday last to discuss mental health services in the area with staff and board members at the volunteer-led mental health charity.

Deputy Cowen said: "It's a fantastic facility, professional, competent delivery of a service to assist those who are having issues with their mental health.

"I was set up four years ago by James O'Connor, who sadly passed away since, but his wife Lisa maintains that brilliant service with brilliant people around her.

"It's imperative now that they get every support and assistance from the Department, from the HSE, to ensure that they can play a role in delivering service to the people who need it."

The Minister said: "I was delighted to visit Accessible Counselling Tullamore, they do phenomenal work supporting people with mental health difficulties.

"Most importantly we need to encourage people to reach out for help and let them know that recovery is possible."

Accessible Counselling Tullamore (ACT) is a community counselling centre based in Tullamore. The purpose of ACT is to pioneer a sustainable model of community-based counselling and psychotherapy services that will be accessible to all.