A Derry mental health charity has suspended its services after 30 years and hit out at a lack of government support.
Last month Men’s Action Network (MAN), which supports 750 men had warned it could close within four weeks due to a lack of funding.
Now the charity says it is “with deep regret” that its services would now be suspended.
Patrick McNicholl (55) from the city is one of those who uses MAN’s counselling services. He is blind and has diabetes, which has led him to become isolated and suffer mental health problems.
He described the charity’s work as a “lifesaver” and that he would not know where to go to avail of the same services in the city.
“I started to go along on a Monday morning last year and it was really helpful for me,” Mr McNicholl told The Irish News.
“They would have taken us to the gym to do boxing and things like that as well which would really have helped me and lifted my mood, I would be buzzing after that.
“So it gave me and others both mental and physical stimulation which was of great benefit to us.
““With the charity no longer able to function, it will create a void in my life that will be very difficult to fill, you make good friends in these groups too so you will lose that bit of friendship and fellowship.”
MAN chairperson John McAtamney said the charity unsuccessfully sought meetings with successive health ministers and was “profoundly disappointed” by a lack of government support.
“This decision was not made lightly, as we fully understand the vital role our charity plays in supporting men and families in our community,” he said.
“We are especially concerned that, despite requests from all five Foyle MLAs, two successive health ministers declined to meet with our charity.
“We are profoundly disappointed by the lack of governmental support that has contributed to this outcome, but our resolve to serve our community remains undiminished.”
A Department of Health spokesperson said there was no funding due to a “hugely disappointing” budget allocation agreed by MLAs.
They said: “Given the very significant financial challenges the department is currently experiencing there is simply not any available funding to offer to the Men’s Action Network, therefore a meeting would not have been helpful for the network, particularly in advance of a clear future budget position for the services currently funded by the department.”
