Fast-track mental health service launched in Cork
MyMind, a not-for-profit service staffed by mental health professionals, including volunteers, also offers an online service for those living in more isolated areas.
“In addition to face-to-face counselling sessions, we can communicate by Skype or email where people are living in rural areas,” said Krystian Fikert, CEO & MyMind Founder.
Mr Fikert said that when the service was fully established in Cork, the target would be to provide more than 100 counselling sessions a week.
“The idea is to provide early intervention for people with mild mental health difficulties. We promise a quick response, within 72 hours. At the moment, we are providing a service in two languages in Cork — French and English — and we are hoping to have a Polish therapist available soon.”
Currently the majority of those contacting the service are suffering mainly from depression, relationship difficulties, or social or health anxieties, Mr Fikert said. Two thirds are female.
About 70% of those using the service make contact with MyMind themselves, with the remainder referred by GPs, public hospitals, or other mental health organisations such as Aware.
MyMind was established in Dublin in 2006 where it now offers services in 14 languages. Mr Fikert said about 60% of Dublin clients were Irish.
He argues their service is more affordable because its hi-tech nature means the group can cut down on administration costs. The standard consultation fee is €50 while students and the unwaged pay €20 per session.
MyMind describes itself as a social enterprise which uses funds generated from fee-paying clients to subsidise reduced-fee or free-of-charge services for clients.
According to research conducted by MyMind, on average each client needs 4.6 sessions to overcome a mild mental health issue.The service is open to all age groups and to companies.
* Appointments with a psychologist, psychotherapist, or counsellor can be made simply visiting www.mymind.org or by calling +353 76 680 1060.
