24/07/2025
Mental Health Aberdeen – Closure Statement
It is with sadness and regret that, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am announcing the closure of Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA), with immediate effect as of Thursday 24th July.
As a Board, we have been working tirelessly to explore all available options for the charity to continue delivering its vital services. These services include Aberdeen Counselling and Information Service (ACIS) and One To One Deeside, our adult services; ACIS Youth, our children and young people’s service operating out of primary and secondary schools in Aberdeen; our community projects in Torry and Calsayseat; and the Amputee project.
Sadly, this decision has been reached following an extensive period of strategic review, external consultation, and careful consideration of all viable options. We are working with liquidators, UK accountancy and business advisory firm MHA, to support navigation of this complex legal process, which means that our services, shops, and head office will cease to operate immediately. All enquiries can be directed to Michael Reid, Partner, MHA, a UK accountancy and business advisory firm, [email protected] who will be managing the liquidation process.
(Please note that Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA) is entirely unrelated to MHA, the accountancy firm appointed to manage the liquidation process.)
Mental Health Aberdeen has faced the stark reality of a complex set of circumstances, including growing pressure on its services as demand for mental health support across the region continues to rise at an unprecedented pace. Despite strategic decisions to invest over the last few years, with the intent of diversifying funding streams from other sources of income away from traditional public funding and fundraising sources, we have not been in a position to realise the long-term benefits of this in the current landscape.
The year ahead has also become increasingly uncertain. Funding has been reduced or withdrawn, and upcoming contract negotiations offer no guarantee of renewal. Rising operational costs, including a significant increase in National Insurance contributions, have added further strain.
Despite the team’s tireless efforts to meet rising demand, our current income can no longer sustain the level of service we aim to provide. Like many third sector organisations across the country, we are facing the stark reality of being asked to do more with less - a position that is no longer viable.
We are fortunate to have a team of dedicated, experienced counsellors working across our adult, children, and young people’s services, who have supported individuals across the North-east during some of the most difficult times in their lives.
Our counsellors have been supported by an invaluable team based at our head office - often the first point of contact for those in need, offering guidance and signposting to additional support services. Our fundraising team has worked tirelessly to raise both vital funds and awareness of our work. Alongside them, our central office staff have provided essential administrative and business support, while dedicated staff and volunteers have continued to run our charity shops in Aberdeen and Aboyne with commitment and care.
We have been increasingly reliant on the dedication of volunteer counsellors, who have played a vital role in helping us meet the growing need. Their contribution has been invaluable, but it highlights the wider issue facing mental health charities right now, which is that public demand is outstripping the resources available to meet it.
Mental Health Aberdeen has continually supported the mental wellbeing of people across the North-east of Scotland for seventy-five years, and as a result, we are making every effort to contact and signpost our clients to other support organisations for advice and guidance.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters for their commitment and compassion over the past seven decades and during this extremely challenging time. This decision will have a direct impact on each of them, we recognise the significance of that and many of us will feel this deeply.
If you are a member of the public and have questions or concerns about fundraising or any pending Mental Health Aberdeen events, please email [email protected] or call 01224 590510.
Finally, we are calling on funders, partners, decision-makers, and government policy makers to recognise the urgent need for greater investment in mental health support. It is vital that charities, like ours, are given the tools and resources to continue delivering essential services to those who need them most, before it’s too late.
Mark Lough
Chair of Mental Health Aberdeen
