SOSAD Ireland

What SOSAD Ireland does

SOSAD Ireland (legally SOSAD Ireland CLG, also known as Save Our Sons & Daughters) is an Irish non-profit mental health charity founded in 2007 and headquartered in Drogheda, County Louth. The organization provides free, confidential mental health support services primarily to individuals across Ireland dealing with suicidal ideation, anxiety, depression, self-harm, low mood, and grief and bereavement, as well as to their families. Its service portfolio centers on a 24/7 crisis helpline (1800 901 909), one-to-one professional counselling delivered in-person and virtually, online Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) groups, two physical drop-in centres in Cavan and Laois, and community education and suicide awareness programs delivered in schools and local organizations. The organization is governed by a Board of Trustees (Chairperson rotating, Treasurer Regina O'Hare, Secretary Catherine Colbert, Trustees Christopher Bannon and Maria O'Toole) and operates with approximately 80 employees and volunteers across six full-time offices in Cavan, Drogheda, Dundalk, Laois, Navan, and Monaghan.

The underlying operating model is human-delivered rather than technology-led; there is no proprietary software platform, app, or AI component, and services are delivered by IACP-accredited counsellors and trained volunteers. SOSAD Ireland does not receive direct government funding and is primarily funded through individual public donations, community fundraising events (runs, cycles, BBQs, music events), corporate sponsorships and partnerships, and occasional small local government grants; it is currently pursuing HSE Section 39 funding. In May 2025 the organization introduced nominal fees for counselling services, a notable departure from its historically free model, while keeping the 24/7 helpline free to all callers. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on educational outreach to schools and community groups, social media presence via regional Facebook pages, grassroots fundraising events, and word-of-mouth referrals within the regions served.

Name

SOSAD Ireland

Legal name

SOSAD Ireland CLG

Website

https://sosadireland.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SOSAD Ireland is an Irish non-profit mental health charity founded in 2007, providing a 24/7 crisis helpline, professional counselling, online DBT groups, drop-in centres, and suicide awareness education across six regional offices in Ireland, funded primarily by public donations and community fundraising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Individual and Family Services (6241), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGACAD

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGAEAH

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYEDALAFAD

Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Services

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Student Health, Counseling & Wellness Services

Keywords

• Mental health counselling
• Crisis helpline services
• Suicide prevention support
• Community mental health
• Nonprofit counselling charity

Headquarters

HQ city

Drogheda

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Donations: Primary funding source from individual donations and fundraising events. The organization is deeply reliant on public generosity to sustain day-to-day operations and essential services.
2. Fundraising Events: Community-organized fundraising events including runs, cycles, BBQs, music events, and various charity activities. These events generate significant contributions from local communities.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partnerships and sponsorships from businesses that support both staff wellbeing and the charity's goals.
4. Nominal Counselling Fees: Recently introduced nominal fees for counselling services as per May 2025 policy change.
5. Small Government Grants: Occasional small grants from local government bodies, typically singular and restricted in scope. Currently pursuing HSE Section 39 funding application.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SOSAD Ireland is a non-profit mental health charity that delivers free or low-cost crisis support and professional counselling to individuals across Ireland. Its core services include a 24/7 freephone crisis helpline, one-to-one professional counselling, an online Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills group, and Drop In Hope walk-in centres in Cavan and Laois. The organization supplements these with suicide awareness education delivered to schools and community groups and periodic Open Days for community engagement.

Product overview

SOSAD Ireland is a non-profit mental health charity providing a unified suite of crisis support and counselling services across Ireland since 2007. The core offering centers on a 24/7 crisis helpline (1800 901 909) supplemented by professional one-to-one counselling, online Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) groups, and physical Drop In centres in Cavan and Laois. The organization also delivers community education and suicide awareness programs through schools and local organizations, while hosting periodic Open Days for community engagement. All services operate within a person-centered, early intervention framework focused on suicide prevention and mental wellbeing support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 24/7 Crisis Helpline

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Temple Dark BookscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 May 2023SOSAD Ireland partnered with Irish independent publisher Temple Dark Books to produce the Channel The Dark anthology of short stories and poems, highlighting the benefits of writing for mental health. The anthology is aimed at raising awareness and funds for the charity.
• Louth Network IrelandcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023SOSAD Ireland was named the 2023 Charity Partner to Louth Network Ireland, participating in their 2023 Businesswoman of the Year Award Winners event. This partnership provides visibility within the local business community and opportunities for corporate engagement.
• Navan Pride FestivalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023SOSAD Ireland partnered with Navan Pride Festival for multiple film events including Breaking Down Barriers talk and various film screenings to promote mental health awareness within the LGBTQ+ community.
• Vhi Women's Mini MarathonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSOSAD Ireland participates annually in the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon as a charity partner, with supporters running to raise funds for the organization.
• Sam's CollectiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization that hosted a Trivia Night event to raise funds for SOSAD Ireland, featuring live performances and raffle.
• Local Businesses and SchoolscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSOSAD Ireland actively engages with local businesses and schools through direct outreach and collaborative initiatives for educational talks and mental health awareness programs.
• Slane Spinners Cycling ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual fundraising cycle events for SOSAD Ireland, with the 13th annual event raising funds through a charity sportive.
• Monaghan Motor ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual car and show event raising funds for SOSAD Monaghan office.
• Drogheda DollsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity group that made a generous donation of €11,158.48 to SOSAD Ireland.
• Ballyroan Vintage ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal club that made a generous donation of €1,500 to SOSAD Laois.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Aware: Irish national charity providing support services for people affected by depression and bipolar disorder, including a helpline, support groups and education. Closely comparable on mental health counselling, education and awareness mission, and on donation-based funding model.
• MyMind: Irish not-for-profit mental health provider offering affordable counselling and psychotherapy in-person and online across multiple locations. Comparable on counselling mission and on hybrid (digital + in-person) delivery, with a stronger emphasis on subsidised fee-based access.
• Samaritans Ireland: Long-established 24/7 emotional support helpline for people in distress across Ireland and the UK. Most directly comparable on the 24/7 crisis helpline product and on confidential listener-based support model, though Samaritans does not deliver ongoing structured counselling.
• Pieta: Ireland's largest suicide prevention and self-harm charity, operating a national network of centres and a 24/7 crisis helpline. Directly comparable to SOSAD on mission (suicide prevention, crisis support, counselling) and on multi-channel delivery model, but at significantly larger national scale.
• Jigsaw: National Centre for Youth Mental Health in Ireland operating 13+ Jigsaw hubs and offering short-term therapeutic support to 12-25 year olds. Comparable on mental health counselling and youth education outreach, though focused on a younger age band than SOSAD.
• Grow Mental Health: Irish peer-led mental health organisation running mutual support groups for recovery from mental health challenges including depression, anxiety and bereavement. Comparable on community-based mental health support and on group-based delivery model.
• Shine (Supporting People Affected by Mental Ill Health): Irish national mental health charity providing information, peer support groups, education and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental ill health. Comparable on family-facing support, group-based services and community education remit.
• Turn2Me: Irish online counselling charity providing free and low-cost online therapy, peer support groups and mental health resources. Directly comparable on counselling service and on digital/virtual delivery, but operates purely online without physical offices.

Broad incumbents

• Mental Health Ireland: National umbrella charity promoting mental health across Ireland through education, training and policy advocacy rather than direct counselling. Comparable on awareness/education work and on national reach, but different operating model (advocacy + training vs clinical service).

Emerging players

• ISPCC Childline: Irish children's charity operating a 24-hour Childline listening service for children and young people. Comparable on the 24/7 helpline model and on youth-focused mental health support, but narrower in age range and on safeguarding rather than counselling.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sosad.cavan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sosad-ireland

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SOSAD Ireland