Grant funding will not be given to counselling service.

An Aberdeen-based counselling organization, which has experienced a significant increase in referrals, will no longer receive grant funding from the city council and NHS. Cairns Counselling has already reduced the number of free sessions it offers by half due to long waiting lists, following the recent closure of the local charity Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA).

The organization had previously received essential support from the Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership. However, its most recent funding application was rejected after review by the Integration Joint Board (IJB) of the city council. Cairns Counselling expressed its disappointment at the decision.

While counselling sessions remain free, Cairns encourages clients to donate if they are able. The IJB stated that it will conduct a comprehensive review of all mental health and counselling services in Aberdeen to ensure they adequately address the needs of the community.

In a statement, IJB chairman Hussein Patwa emphasized the board's commitment to making prudent decisions to best serve Aberdeen residents, acknowledging that "the landscape of mental health support is changing in the city."

Cairns Counselling's chief executive, Claire Moggach, acknowledged the difficult choices facing the council and expressed concern over the funding cut. She said the organization has been in uncertainty since March and warned that reduced funding could limit service capacity at a time when demand continues to grow.

Mental Health Aberdeen, which had provided services for 75 years, announced its immediate closure in July, citing increasing pressures and complex challenges despite efforts to find alternative solutions.

Author: Gavin Porter