Accessing mental health support
Voluntary and community organisations play a vital role in supporting mental health recovery, providing accessible services, and signposting individuals to appropriate care. These organisations often offer low-cost or free counselling, peer support, advocacy, and crisis support, ensuring that people can access help without long waiting times. They complement public healthcare services by offering practical and emotional support to individuals and families affected by mental health difficulties. There are many services that are available that target specific needs or geographical areas. For more information on services available, you can contact us at Shine Get support or you can visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie
Your GP (General Practitioner) is often the first point of contact for mental health concerns. They can provide advice, prescribe medication if needed, and refer you to specialist services. Primary care psychologists, social workers and counsellors are also available in some areas through the HSE’s Primary Care services. If you are in distress, you can also access support through out-of-hours GP services or online mental health resources.
For more complex mental health needs, GPs can refer individuals to Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs), which include psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health nurses, occupational therapists, and social workers. These teams provide assessment, treatment, and ongoing care for moderate to severe mental health conditions. Specialist services include:
- Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS) – Providing care for adults experiencing significant mental health difficulties.
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) – Supporting young people under 18 with moderate to severe mental health conditions.
- Psychiatry of Later Life Services – Focused on older adults experiencing mental health difficulties, including dementia-related conditions.
- Rehabilitation and Recovery Services – Offering intensive, long-term support to individuals with severe and enduring mental health conditions to promote independent living and recovery.
- Mental Health Services for People with Intellectual Disabilities – Providing specialist mental health care for individuals with an intellectual disability and co-existing mental health conditions.
The HSE has developed National Clinical Programmes to improve access to specialist care in key areas of mental health. These include:
- Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) – Providing early detection and treatment for individuals experiencing their first episode of psychosis
- Self-Harm Assessment and Treatment (SHAT) Services – Offering specialist support for individuals presenting with self-harm at emergency departments
- Eating Disorders Services – Providing specialist treatment for individuals with eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder
- Dual Diagnosis Services – Supporting individuals with both mental health and substance use difficulties
- ADHD in Adults and Children – Improving diagnosis and treatment pathways for individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
For individuals requiring intensive care, inpatient treatment may be necessary. This can be provided in:
- Acute psychiatric units within general hospitals
- Specialist mental health facilities for those requiring structured, long-term treatment
- Private mental health hospitals for those with private health insurance or who choose to self-fund their care.
Inpatient and Specialist Mental Health Facilities
For individuals requiring intensive care, inpatient treatment may be necessary. This can be provided in:
- Acute psychiatric units within general hospitals
- Specialist mental health facilities for those requiring structured, long-term treatment
- Private mental health hospitals for those with private health insurance or who choose to self-fund their care.
Rehabilitation and Recovery Services
For individuals living with long-term mental health conditions, rehabilitation and recovery services provide tailored support to help regain independence and improve quality of life. This includes:
- Community-based residential services for those transitioning from inpatient care
- Day services and vocational programmes to support recovery, skill development, and social inclusion.
Crisis Support and Further Information
If you or someone you know is in crisis, immediate support is available:
- Samaritans – Call 116123 (free, available 24/7).
- Your Mental Health Information Line – Call 1800 111 888 for information on mental health services.
For more details on mental health services in Ireland, visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie
