Helpful Links

General information and advice on looking after your mental health

SAMARITANS - 24 hour phone support for those distressed or in a crisis situation is available from the Samaritans on 1850 609090 or Free helpline: 116 123

Further Information on Mental Health

• Your family doctor (GP). If you don’t have a GP, you can find a list under ‘General Practitioners’ Online or in Golden Pages. A GP can give you information about the supports available in your area.

• The Emergency Department of your nearest general hospital if you believe your loved one is in immediate danger. You can also contact the emergency services by calling 999 or 112.

• HSE Mental Health Services. If you or your loved one is involved with a mental health team, you can contact them directly. If not, you will need a referral letter from your GP to access this service.

• Samaritans - is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provides confidential, non-judgemental emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts. Free helpline: 116 123. www.samaritans.ie

• Childline - provides a free and confidential listening service to children and young people up to the age of 18. The Childline helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Childline Online Chat is open every day from 10am to 10pm. Free helpline: 1800 666 666. Online Chat: www.childline.ie Teentxt service: text the word “Talk” to 50101.

• Pieta House provides a free, therapeutic counselling service to people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide and those who engage in self-harm. Tel: (01) 601 0000. www.pieta.ie It offers a free service to those who are feeling suicidal or are engaging in self harm, and their friends and family. Their services include free sessions with a therapist, bereavement support, and a free 24 hour helpline. To find out more about their services and arrange to visit their centre, call their free, 24 hour helpline at 1800 247 247.

Address: Pieta House Cork, Shanakiel, Sunday’s Well, Cork, T23 P865
Opening Hours: 9am – 8pm Monday – Thursday; 9am – 6pm Friday; 10am – 2pm Saturday; Closed Sundays
Website: pieta.ie
Office phone: 021-4395333
Free 24 Hour Helpline: 1800 247 247

• Console - is a 24-hour suicide prevention and bereavement service for anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide or bereaved through suicide. Free helpline: 1800 247 247.

• Text50808.ie - 50808 provides a safe space where you’re listened to by a trained Crisis Volunteer. You’ll text back and forth, only sharing what you feel comfortable with. By asking questions, listening to you and responding with support, they will help you sort through your feelings until you both feel you are now in a calm, safe place. Text HELLO to 50808 to start a conversation.

• Private Counselling Services - There are many counsellors and therapists across Ireland who may be able to offer an immediate appointment. To see a list of accredited counsellors in your area check the following websites:

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) www.irish-counselling.ie
Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP) https://iahip.org/
Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP) www.psychotherapy-ireland.com
Irish Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (IABCP) www.babcp.com/IABCP
Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) www.psihq.ie
Association of Agency-based Counselling in Ireland www.aaci.ie

• The Money and Budgeting Service (MABS) - is a free, confidential service for people in debt or in danger of getting into debt. Advisers can give you advice and support on many money management and debt issues as well as free self-help materials. MABS Helpline: 0761 07 2000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm) Local MABS o ces: see www.mabs.ie/contact-mabs

• CITIZENS INFORMATION SERVICE - offers information on all aspects of public services and entitlements for people living in Ireland. Information Phone Service: 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm) Mortgage Arrears Information Helpline: 0761 07 4050 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm)

• AWARE - Aware is a national voluntary organisation providing support for depression. Aware provides face-to-face, phone and online support for people experiencing mild to moderate depression, as well as friends and families who are concerned for a loved one. Helpline: 1890 303 302 (Monday to Sunday, 10am to 10pm) Support email: wecanhelp@aware.ie

• GROW - is a mental health organisation which helps people who have suffered, or are suffering, from mental health problems. Infoline: 1890 474 474

• MENTALHELP.IE - is an online directory run by Mental Health Reform (MHR), the national coalition of organisations promoting improved mental health services. The directory includes information on helplines, websites, support groups, training, benefits, housing, inpatient care, counselling, complaints, advocacy, rights and recovery.

• MYMIND - provides a range of community mental health services through about 50 mental health professionals, including an ‘e-psychology’ service. Online services include email exchange with health professionals and online counselling using Skype. My Mind supports more serious mental health difficulties face to face. Phone: 076 680 1060 www.mymind.org

• NURTURE - is an Irish charity offering timely and affordable professional counselling and support around pregnancy, childbirth, mental health and emotional wellbeing for women, their partners and families. To arrange to talk to one of their counsellors, either phone or visit nurturepnd.org/contact. Phone: (01) 843 0930 Email: admin@nurturepnd.org

• SHINE - supports people with mental ill health and their families and friends with general information and a listening ear. Trained psychotherapists view and respond to emails within 24 hours, Monday to Friday. The service is confidential. Information helpline: 1890 621 631 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm) Email support: phil@shineonline.ie

• TURN2ME - provides peer support forums with a moderator, online support groups, access to Thought Catcher (a mood measuring tool) and one-to-one online counselling. www.turn2me.org

• 3Ts SELF HELP eLIBRARY - 3Ts has produced a series of self-help booklets together with the National Health Service that are available to download for free and are intended as a ‘first step’ towards recovery across a range of mental health topics. Each booklet is 20 to 30 pages long and contains information, tips and techniques for coping with and managing a particular issue. www.3ts.ie

• LGBT HELPLINE - The LGBT helpline is a national support service providing confidential, non-judgmental, support and information to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families and friends. The helpline is run by trained volunteers through a network of local centres. Helpline: 1890 929 539

• LGBTMENTALHEALTH.IE - Homophobia and transphobia can have a negative impact on the mental health of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. This website tells LGBT people how they can look after their mental health and highlights the services available if they need support.

• AMEN - provides a confidential helpline, support service and information to male victims of domestic abuse. Helpline: 046 902 3718 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

• CHILDREN AT RISK IN IRELAND (CARI) - This is a specialised, confidential national service for professionals seeking referral advice and parents who have either just learned that their child has suffered sexual abuse or are concerned about their child’s sexualised behaviour. Helpline: 1890 924 567 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm)

• DUBLIN RAPE CRISIS CENTRE - The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is a national organisation offering a wide range of services to women and men affected by rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment or childhood sexual abuse. The services include a national 24- hour helpline, one-to-one counselling, court accompaniment, outreach services, training, awareness-raising and lobbying. To find a centre in your area, visit www.drcc.ie/get-help-andinformation/centres-around-ireland. National helpline: 1800 77 88 88 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year)

• WOMEN’S AID - Women’s Aid is a voluntary organisation offering free and confidential support to women and their children who are experiencing domestic violence in the Republic of Ireland. Free helpline: 1800 341 900 (10am to 10pm daily except Christmas Day)

• IRISH ADVOCACY NETWORK - The Irish Advocacy Network has peer advocates in most HSE areas who regularly attend psychiatric units and day centres. Their main job is to give support and information to people with mental health difficulties by befriending them and offering a confidential listening ear or peer advocacy (support and or advice from people their own age). Phone: 047 38918 E: admin@irishadvocacynetwork.com

• IRISH CHILDHOOD BEREAVEMENT NETWORK - The Irish Childhood bereavement Network provides support to those working with grieving children and young people.www.childhoodbereavement.ie

• YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A directory of bereavement support services. https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/mentalhealth/you-are-not-alone-booklet-.pdf

• DRUGS.IE - provides Ireland’s only online interactive information and support chat service. It also has a national database of treatment, rehabilitation, information, support, counselling, education and training services.

• HSE DRUGS AND ALCOHOL HELPLINE - This helpline provides support, information, guidance and referral to anyone with a question or concern related to drug and alcohol use, and HIV and sexual health. The service is confidential, non-judgemental and offers space to talk about your situation, explore some options and consider your needs. Helpline: 1800 459 459 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am and 5.30pm) Email support: helpline@hse.ie

• BODYWHYS is the national eating disorder association of Ireland. It provides a variety of supports for people affected by eating disorders including online support groups and face to face support groups in Dublin, Carlow and Sligo. National helpline: 1890 200 444 Email support: alex@bodywhys.ie

• FLAC is an independent legal rights organisation offering basic legal information and advice to the public. Information and referral line: 1890 350 250 (Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5:30pm and Friday, 9am to 5pm)

• CHILDLINE provides a free, confidential listening service to children and young people up to the age of 18. Free helpline: 1800 666 666 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year) Online Chat: www.childline.ie (10am - 10pm, 365 days a year) Teentxt service: text the word “Talk” to 50101

• RAINBOWS IRELAND supports children and young people experiencing loss as a result of bereavement, parental separation and divorce. This support is provided in small groups of similar age and loss experience over 12 weeks. The programme is available in primary and secondary schools, family resource centres, diocesan centres, and youth projects. It is a free service to children and young people. www.rainbowsireland.ie/where-israinbows

• REACHOUT.COM - helps young people get through tough times by providing quality mental health information and covering issues that affect mental health.

• SPUNOUT.IE This website provides health information for young people on mental health, sexual health, exam safestress and general lifestyle. SpunOut also has an extensive online directory of supports and services in local areas.

Sharon Foley B.A. M.A. M.I.A.C.P.

Helpful Links