Co Antrim Mental Health Hub Faces Closure Without Funding

A mental health support hub in County Antrim, known as Turning Point NI, is at risk of closing due to a funding crisis. The organization, located on Lower Mill Street in Ballymena, has provided vital support to nearly 1,500 people in crisis since its inception in 2015. However, the charity currently operates without direct government funding and relies heavily on community donations and grants, including support from the National Lottery.

The funding situation worsened in March 2023 when a three-year grant expired, forcing Turning Point NI to deplete its reserves. The charity’s leadership expects to learn in December whether they will receive another round of funding from the National Lottery. Without immediate financial support, the organization’s ability to deliver essential services may halt within months.

Urgent Need for Sustainable Support

Speaking to local media, Trudi Power, the director of Turning Point NI, expressed serious concerns about the future of the charity. She emphasized the growing demand for mental health services in the region and the potential consequences of the organization’s closure. Power stated, “Funding is difficult for every voluntary community and charity in Northern Ireland. We all know the challenge of bringing money in.”

She further highlighted that voluntary organizations like Turning Point NI provide critical services that the National Health Service (NHS) may not be able to fulfill at this time. “If we don’t receive funding, where do those who use our service go?” Power asked. She called for a long-term strategy to ensure that vital mental health services remain accessible to those in need.

Turning Point NI serves residents in Ballymena South, an area noted for being among the top 25% most deprived regions in Northern Ireland. The region has alarmingly high suicide rates, which have increased over the past three decades. The charity reports seeing around 50 individuals each week for counselling, but their waiting list for one-on-one sessions has already exceeded 100 people.

Power explained that the services provided are free at the point of use and allow individuals to self-refer without needing to go through a general practitioner or statutory agency. “If you feel or your family feels that an individual’s in need of support, they can get it simply by lifting the phone or by accessing the self-referral tab on the website,” she said.

Community Support and Future Prospects

To raise awareness about men’s mental health issues, Turning Point NI has partnered with a local business, The Barber Collective, for a Movember challenge. The initiative has already raised over £600 within the first week. While Power acknowledges the strong community support the charity has received, she stresses that this cannot be the sole source of funding.

“The Barber Collective have always been very supportive of us, as have many small local businesses,” she noted. “However, 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.”

Turning Point NI has explored various funding streams, but Power emphasized the necessity for larger, sustainable funding to secure the charity’s future operations. She believes that with the right priorities in place, funding for essential services could be achieved.

For anyone experiencing mental health issues and seeking someone to talk to, support is available through the Samaritans at 116 123 or Lifeline at 0808 808 8000.

As Turning Point NI navigates this critical funding challenge, the urgency for sustainable support becomes increasingly clear. The community, alongside local businesses and organizations, may hold the key to ensuring that vital mental health resources remain available for those who rely on them.