Loneliness huge issue during pandemic
Donations have fallen dramatically at Cork Mental Health, the Cork Independent has learned.
It comes as the foundation and housing association has begun a campaign to highlight its Assistance Fund with the hopes that businesses can donate money to it.
Brendan McCarthy, CEO, Cork Mental Health (CMH) said: “Donations have fallen dramatically with fundraising being down 40 per cent on 2019, leaving us with a shortfall of €75,000.”
He continued: “Mental health is shaped by wide ranging characteristics, including inequalities, of the social, economic, and physical environments in which people live. Mental health problems can disrupt people’s education, training, and entry into, and progression within, work.
“Poor mental health can and does lead to a vicious cycle of spiralling debt for some people.
“Loneliness and isolation have been a huge issue during Covid-19 and that is why we have endeavoured to provide as much online support as possible. This is where the CMH Assistance Fund can help.”
The fund, established five years, ago, is aimed at supporting individuals who are experiencing significant and serious financial hardship. This may include hardship because of loss of earnings or income due to mental health issues or illness.
The fund focuses on assisting individuals with basic and essential needs that may arise, due to circumstances beyond their control. These needs may be assistance to pay a utility bill, carry out small minor repairs or pay essential household bills which cannot be met because of their low income level.
Mr McCarthy said: “The pandemic challenges we have all faced over the past 12 months have severely impacted not just our general income but have also have a big impact on the discretionary help we provide.
“To help overcome this, we have launched a Green Leaf Appeal for 2021, where we are reaching out to companies who we hope will support the appeal with a donation of €500 towards our Assistance Fund. All proceeds go directly to the assistance Programme and helping families and people living with mental health issues to ensure they do not fall into debt where a small bit of support from our fund could have helped. We are hoping to raise €25,000.”
By donating to the Green Leaf Appeal businesses will receive a mental health awareness session for management and employees and the company name will go on one of the Green Leaf’s on Cork Mental Health’s Gratitude Tree.