Mental health: where to find support

Immediate assistance

If you’re worried you or someone you know is at risk of suicide or self- harm, contact your local doctor or the emergency department at your nearest hospital for immediate help. Childline Childline is a 24-hour helpline for children under 18. It’s run by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) and all calls are confidential. You can speak to Childline about any issue at all; staff and volunteers are trained to offer nonjudgmental support. Freephone 1800 66 66 66 or text TALK to 50101.

Samaritans

Samaritans offer a similar 24-hour helpline that people of any age can call. They offer a safe place to talk, and promise to provide the same support to people calling with mental health issues as any other issues. Freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

SpunOut.ie

SpunOut.ie is a not-for-profit website created by young people for young people. It provides information on many different topics, including bullying, life, relationships and mental health. See spunout.ie

ReachOut.com
ReachOut.com aims to take the mystery out of mental health by providing information about other services to help people deal with mental health issues, as well as hosting real life stories from other young people. See reachout.com

YourMentalHealth.ie

YourMentalHealth.ie, run by the HSE, provides information about mental health, and minding yourself and others. It hosts online wellness workshops and contains information about services and supports available, and how to access them. See yourmentalhealth.ie

Headstrong

Headstrong operates the Jigsaw project, which is a network of programmes across the country. The Jigsaw centres provide a safe place for those between the ages of 12 and 25 to get one-to-one support . Some centres are drop-in and others by appointment only. See headstrong.ie

Aware

Aware provides information about depression, and runs depression support groups around the country. There are support groups specifically for young people in Dublin and Cork, and groups for relatives as well. See aware.ie, call 01 661 7211 or email info@aware.ie

Grow

Grow runs mental health group meetings for adults between 18 and 30. The weekly meetings follow a group method to teach practical psychology of mental health. See grow.ie or call 1890 474 474.

Parentline

Parentline is a confidential helpline for parents and guardians looking for support, information or guidance on any aspect of being a parent, including support for parents with children suffering from mental health issues. Contact: LoCall 1890 927277 or 01 873 3500