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70% Of Those Availing Of HSE's Online Mental Services Are Women

Thursday, 9 November 2023 06:56

The majority of users of the service are in the 18-44 age category.

There's a persistent discrepancy between the number of men versus women who seek the assistance of mental health services.

That's one of the findings of the HSE's new report on the Silver Cloud service.

Over 12,000 people have used the online mental health service, however, Laois accounts for the lowest number of those in the country, at just 22.

Offaly also ranks in the bottom five, while Westmeath ranks significantly higher than its regional counterparts, in terms of users.

The report shows over seven in ten users are women, while over three quarters are in the 18 to 44 age range.

The anxiety programme is by far the most-utilised in the service, at 50%, followed by depression.

Among the findings is the need for the potential benefits of the service to be highlighted to men in a bid to encourage them to avail of it.

The report suggests the introduction of a self-signup pathway may reduce the gender discrepancy, as men may be more likely to perceive stigma as a barrier to seeking help.

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