Immediate Help
If you are worried that you or someone you know is at risk of suicide or self harm, you should immediately contact your local doctor or go to the Accident and Emergency department of the nearest hospital.
Talk to someone NOW
If you need to talk to someone NOW call Childline (Helpline PHONE: 1800 66 66 66) or the Samaritans (PHONE 1850 609090) for confidential, non-judgemental support 24 hours a day- no matter what you’re problems you’re facing or where you are, there will be someone available to offer you support.
Childline is 24-hour service for children and young people up to 18 years of age open 365 days a year. Calls to Childline are confidential and they don’t have caller ID or trace any calls. It won’t cost you anything to call Childline and our number won’t show up on the phone bill.
Text Someone NOW
You can also access support and information on where to go for help in a crisis through your mobile by texting the word HeadsUpto 50424.
The Samaritans also offer a 24:7 text support service, 365 days a year, for anyone in emotional distress. This service is available nationwide. To receive the service, simply send an SMS text message to 087 2 60 90 90
If you need to talk to someone right now there are a number of helplines you can contact for confidential non-judgemental support.
Most helplines will provide a listening service, give information and advice, provide emotional support and point you in the direction of other services. They are often free phone services which are staffed by trained volunteers or employees. Some helplines, such as Bodywhys or Aware, specialise in dealing with particular issues, whilst others, such as the Samaritans are more general, dealing with a whole range of issues that may concern young people.
This section separates the various helplines available into those that offer support for mental health; drugs and alcohol; suicide and bereavement; sexuality; pregnancy and sexual health; abuse, domestic violence and rape; and support for parents.
Remember, if you or someone you know is at risk of suicide or self harm, you should immediately contact your local doctor or go to the Accident and Emergency department of the nearest hospital.
Abuse, Domestic Violence & Rape
Amen HELPLINE: 046 9023718 is an organisation which provides a confidential helpline, information and support service for male victims of domestic abuse.
Contact Us
Map to MHI's Head Office
If I have a Mental Health Problem – where do I go?
Your family doctor is usually the first person to approach in relation to mental health concerns. Many people attend their General Practitioner (G.P.) with mental health problems such as depression or anxiety and will not need the help of a psychiatrist. In other cases the G.P. may decide to refer a person to members of the mental health team such as a Psychiatrist, Clinical Psychologist or Addiction Counsellor. In an emergency situation, when your G.P. is not available, you may access the Mental Health Services through your local mental health unit or hospital.
What happens if I am referred to a Psychiatrist?
An out-patient appointment will usually take place within a few weeks of referral or in an emergency, an immediate appointment can be arranged. The Psychiatrist will meet with you to discuss your mental health problems and to explain the treatment options available which may include a course of medication.
What are the treatment options?
1. Outpatient Care
2. Admission to Psychiatric Unit in Hospital
Where you will have access to a full range of services offered by the mental health team.
Can I be admitted to Hospital against my will?
The majority of people are admitted to hospital of their own free will. When you enter hospital you will be asked to sign a voluntary form. This is a Form of Consent to receive treatment in hospital.
Occasionally a person in urgent need of hospital care due to mental health problems, may be incapable of seeking treatment or unwilling to do so. In such circumstances, it may be necessary for the person to be admitted to hospital on an involuntary basis. Your family doctor or local mental health service will assist you and your family in this process should such a situation arise.
Discharge from Hospital – What next?
The Doctor will discuss with you and your family as appropriate, what follow up care should include.
The follow-up options are:
Click here to have more information on Accessing Mental Health Services
Infancy is a period of optimal emotional and cognitive development. The foundations of mental health are laid during the critical development that occurs over the first three years of a child’s life. Research on early childhood development has stressed the importance of studying the relationship between the primary caregiver and the infant in understanding the infant’s social and emotional development. Early identification of problems and effective intervention can have a significant impact on the prevention of child, adolescent and adult mental health difficulties. Best practice supports the principle that programmes based on developing strengths, beginning either pre-natally or at birth, have the greatest and most sustained effects. Taking a life-span approach to mental health necessitates early intervention from birth onwards.
Three psychologists in Wexford are using Infant Mental Health to work with the youngest clients being referred into their services. By promoting the development of healthy attachments between infants and caregivers, their aim is to break negative family patterns and provide the foundation stone for the development of positive mental health and well being throughout the lifespan. As part of the infant mental health practice psychologists may offer families, concrete assistance, emotional support, developmental guidance, early relationship assessment/support, advocacy and infant–parent psychotherapy, depending on the needs of the infant and his/her family. ‘Infant-parent psychotherapy offers a parent the opportunity to explore thoughts and feelings that are awakened in the presence of the baby. In the intimacy of the home visit, a parent may share stories of past experiences and significant relationships, major fears, disappointments, and unresolved losses as they affect the care of a baby and their early developing parent-child relationship’ (Weatherston, D. 1997).
Susann Keating, Rosarii O’Donnell & Paula Koechlin, Psychologists, HSE South, Wexford.
Click here to see the workshop presentation about Infant Mental Health by Susann Keating, Rosarii O'Donnell and Paula Koechlin at the Annual Conference 2009.
In Ireland there are approximately 160,917 carers (CSO, 2006). In 2008 the Care Alliance Ireland published a report which looked at carer health in comparison to the non-carer population. The report revealed that in the previous 12 months to the study over 40% of carers experienced stress and tension, almost 18% experienced depression, 22% suffered from anxiety, 29% suffered from headaches and just over a quarter suffered from lower back pain. Almost 30% of carers stated that their health had been directly impacted by their caring role.
Mental Health Ireland has prioritised the carer population as a group to develop tangible supports for based on their needs as highlighted in the recently published research and the tacit knowledge communicated through our network of Development Officers and volunteers from our Local Mental Health Associations. This has led to the development of a comprehensive Caring for Carers Programme which looks at the many issues identified by carers.
The following is a breakdown of the programme modules:
Each section of the programme is divided into workshop style modules and the programme can be delivered over a number of days or by individual module. The aim of the programme is to provide informational and practical supports for carers, with an emphasis on promoting mental health therefore improving the carer’s ability to care for themselves as well as the person they are looking after. It focuses on the carer with a holistic approach their needs. The Programme will be delivered on a regional basis throughout the country by our network of Development Officers and the relevant agencies.
For more information about the Programme click here
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04.02.2011 - 06.02.2011
Healthy BODY Healthy MIND Exhibition and Conference Show
09.04.2011 16:00 -
17:30
National Public Speaking Final
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