Co Antrim Mental Health Hub Faces Closure Without Funding

Mental health charity Turning Point NI is at risk of closure as it struggles to secure sustainable funding amid rising demand for its services in Co Antrim. Based in Ballymena, the hub has provided vital support to nearly 1,500 individuals in crisis since its establishment in 2015. However, without direct funding from the Northern Ireland Assembly, the organization is now relying on community donations and grants, which are proving insufficient.

Turning Point NI has been operating on its reserves since March 2023, when its three-year funding from the National Lottery expired. The charity is awaiting news in December regarding potential new funding from the lottery. Director Trudi Power expressed urgent concerns about the future of the organization, stating, “Without urgent support, the charity’s ability to provide free life-saving support could come to an end within months.”

The organization serves a community that includes Ballymena South, one of the most deprived areas in Northern Ireland. The region has experienced alarming trends in mental health, with suicide rates significantly higher than in other parts of the UK. According to Power, “There is a huge demand locally, and we have roughly 50 people a week through the doors for a counselling session. Our waiting list for one-to-one counselling is at just over three figures at the moment.”

Turning Point NI offers its services without any barriers to access, allowing individuals to self-refer for support. This approach has seen the charity engage with 1,476 people in crisis over the last four years, with many referrals coming from statutory bodies. Power emphasized that the organization is essentially performing NHS functions without receiving appropriate funding.

The local community has rallied around Turning Point NI, with businesses like The Barber Collective launching initiatives such as a Movember challenge to raise awareness for men’s mental health issues. The challenge has already raised over £600. “We do get a lot of support from our local community,” Power noted, “but due to the nature of the work and the amount of work there is, it’s a substantial piece of funding we need to address.”

Power underscored the necessity for a long-term funding strategy, stating, “If the will was there to fund charities like ourselves that are carrying out statutory functions essentially, I believe it would happen. But the will needs to be there.” She called for a reassessment of budgetary priorities, particularly in light of the pressing mental health crisis in the region.

As the situation develops, Turning Point NI is hopeful for a resolution that will allow it to continue its crucial work. For those needing immediate support, resources such as the Samaritans and Lifeline are available, offering confidential help to those in distress.

The fight for sustainable funding continues, and the implications of this struggle extend beyond the charity itself, raising critical questions about the support structures in place for mental health services in Northern Ireland. As the community waits for answers, the urgency of the situation remains clear: without adequate funding, many vulnerable individuals may find themselves without the vital support they need.