New Wicklow mental health charity aims to deliver free and immediate therapy
'It's quite a simple idea,' explained Rob Carry, the charity's chairman. 'We've run a string of fundraisers and all proceeds go directly to picking up the tab for young people who need to access private therapy.'
While there are other therapy providers operating in Bray, Rob pointed out that they are often struggling with capacity.
'When a young person presents with a mental health crisis, they will often be told that they're going on a waiting list – and that can last for months. That sends the wrong message,' he said.
Before receiving approval from the charity regulator, the trustees of Cabhair met regularly and ran a string of fundraisers as a 'mental health initiative'. These included a martial arts event, a personal training education day, a charity rifle shoot and a number of dawn hikes to the top of Bray Head.
'Our next fundraising walk is on Friday, August 1, and everyone is welcome to come along,' said Karl O'Rourke, one of Cabhair's trustees.
'Our first two were really, really successful and the money raised has been paying for free mental health services on demand for young people in Bray. We need to do these fundraisers to keep paying for the services that are so badly needed. We need your help,' he added.
Rob remarked that 'while wages paid to the management of certain charities has come in for scrutiny of late', he said Cabhair operates very differently.
'We're all volunteers,' he said. 'None of us take a penny and through using our own time and resources we've been able to make sure that every single euro of what has been raised is going to pay for therapy hours. We have zero overheads… 100pc gets to end users.'
Among the charity's trustees is Independent Ireland councillor, Ian Neary.
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The Bray East representative said: 'It's a massive honour to be a part of Cabhair and has been personally one of my greatest achievements to help set up this charity.'
Cllr Neary highlighted the continued stigma around mental health, adding that fundraising events and the publicity around the launch of the charity helps to normalise the idea of seeking help for mental health challenges.
'Now is the time we break the stigma regarding mental health and to let the next generation know that's it normal and okay to be in a bad place," he explained.
"We all fight unseen battles, scenarios and fears. We're often ashamed to speak out due to fear of being labelled. But if you're not in a good place you can readjust and come good again. Your future self will thank you,' he said.
Information on the charity's services and how to sign up for the next event can be found at cabhair.org, @cabhairbray on Instagram, or email cabhairbray@gmail.com
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