Where can I find help?

External Affairs & Policy

Here you will find our mission and objectives, learn about External Affairs & Policy, our team and how we work.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland is a professional and administrative body and as such cannot provide referrals to a psychiatrist or lists of psychiatrists. As the College is not a regulatory body it cannot recommend psychiatrists or services, whether public (HSE) or private nor process complaints about services or psychiatrists.

Complaints about a service are handled by the processes of that service. The Medical Council of Ireland handles complaints about doctors registered with it; therefore, their process is also for complaints on psychiatrists.

An appointment with a psychiatrist can only be obtained by referral from a general practitioner (GP) or family doctor, or in emergency situations through a local HSE mental health unit.

It is important and helpful to contact a GP if you feel your mental health is suffering. The Irish College of General Practictioners has helpful information and contact details for listed GPs.

There are many very supportive organisations – government and non-government – who can provide help with regard to mental health and illness. Whether you suffer or think you are suffering from a mental health problem, help and information is available. The College website has provided some links to organisations below.

Bodywhys

Bodywhys are the national voluntary organisation supporting people with eating disorders. Bodywhys are committed to the belief that people can and do recover from eating disorders. They strive to empower people affected by eating disorders to access information, support and treatment.

The HSE has a National Clinical programme for Eating Disorders (NCP-ED) in collaboration with the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland and BodyWhys, the national support group for people with eating disorders. For information on the HSE’s Eating Disorder Self Help app and a link to download, click here. For more information on the clinical programme, click here.

Mental Health Reform

Mental Health Reform promotes best practice in all aspects of service provision to people with mental health difficulties and advance education so people can achieve the highest possible standard of mental health.

See Change

See Change is Ireland’s national programme working to change attitudes and beliefs about mental health problems. They work to ensure that everyone receives the same rights on an equal basis.

Aware

Aware offer information and support for individuals suffering from depression and their families. You can find information about your nearest support group and confidential e-mail service.

Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI)

AAI are the national charity for alcohol-related issues. They campaign to lift the burden of alcohol-related harm from the individual. They are an independent voice for advocacy and policy change, working to reduce levels of alcohol-related harm in Ireland.

As I Am

As I Am aims to provide a one-stop shop for the autism community in Ireland, providing the public and those with the condition to a portal of information about autism.

Turn 2 Me

Turn 2 Me is an online mental health community providing peer and emotional support to people in distress. They also run the 1:1 Engage counselling programme.

Inclusion Ireland

Inclusion Ireland is the national voluntary organisation working to promote the rights of people with an intellectual disability in Ireland to ensure their full and equal participation in society. The site provides a service directory under which you can search by county for disability services and parent & friend organisations.

Enable Ireland

Enable Ireland provide free services to children and adults with disabilities and their families from 40 locations in 14 counties. Covering childhood to adulthood, their expert teams works with the individual and their families on a plan for each stage life.

Samaritans

Samaritans is a 24 hour helpline service providing confidential emotional support for people experiencing feelings of emotional distress or despair including those which may lead to suicide. Their website provides information and support as well as information on how you can become a volunteer.

Amnesty

Amnesty is a membership based campaigning organisation whose mission is to uphold and defend human rights. Amnesty International Ireland (AI) have been campaigning since 2002, with the long-term goal of making real in Ireland Article 12 of the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which states that “every person has the right to the highest attainable standard of mental health”.

Irish Advocacy Network

Irish Advocacy Network provide information and support to people with mental health difficulties by befriending them and offering a confidential listening ear or peer advocacy.

Headline

Headline is Ireland’s national media monitoring programme, working to promote accurate and responsible coverage of mental health and suicide issues within the Irish media. It is a highly interactive site where users can download video and podcasts, discuss issues on the noticeboard and search for mental health related stories that have been covered in the media that day.

Parentline

Parentline offer support, guidance and information on all aspects of being a parent, and the reassurance that, whatever the problem, you’re not the first parent to experience it. Parentline offer a listening ear and provide guidance to the answers parents seek.

My Mind

My Mind was founded in 2006 as a community based provider of mental health services accessible and affordable for everyone in Ireland. My Mind provides a variety of services for adolescents, adults, children and companies including consultations with mental health professionals, group therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy.

MindBank (WHO)

An on-line platform created by the World Health Organisation. It contains information and resources on multiple topics including Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Disability, General Health, Human Rights & Development.

Mental Health Ireland

Mental Health Ireland (MHI) is a national voluntary organisation with 104 local Mental Health Associations (MHAs) and branches throughout the country

National Safeguarding Committee

The National Safeguarding Committee (NSC) will lead on encouraging an organisational and societal culture which promotes the rights of adults who may be vulnerable and it insists on zero tolerance for abuse.

Women’s Health Taskforce

The Women’s Health Taskforce met for the first time on 26 September 2019. The Taskforce was establish to tackle a wide range of issues impacting women’s health outcomes in Ireland.

Your Mental Health

Find advice, information and support services for mental health and wellbeing. Run by the HSE.

If you need further support or information, please call St Patrick’s dedicated Support and Information Line on 01 249 33 33

If you need help or just want to talk, supports are available:

  • Samaritans 24/7 helpline: 116 123 or jo@samartians.org
  • Pieta House: 1 800 247 247 or mary@pieta.ieor contact your nearest Pieta House
  • Teen-Line Ireland: 1 800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)
  • Childline: 1 800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)

The Irish Association of Suicidology (IASP)

IASP provide links between clinicians, researchers and survivors in all matters relating to suicide.

Console

Console is an organisation that provides support and help through suicide

Action on Suicide Alliance

Mission is to reduce suicide & self-harm in Ireland by advocating for Government provision of mental health services.

Suicide or Survive

Dedicated to removing stigma associated with mental health and suicide prevention

Pieta House

Centre for suicide prevention in Ireland. Counselling is aimed at those who have already attempted to take their own life.

National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP)

Oversee the implementation of Reach Out, National Strategy for action on suicide prevention. The website provides valuable reports and research resources on the area of suicide prevention.

Turning the Tide on Suicide

Raise awareness of suicide in Ireland and raise funds to lower rate of suicide through research, education and intervention.

Self-Harm Ireland

Self-Harm Ireland are the first centre of its kind for self-harm prevention in Donegal. Promotes awareness of self-harm to general public and holds regular awareness days.

Pisa Research Project, DCU School of Nursing

The PISA (Psychosocial/Psycho-educational intervention for people with repeat suicide attempts) suicide research team at DCU carry out research into the effectiveness of interventions for people with recurrent suicide attempts and largely involves therapeutic group intervention.

Children’s Mental Health Coalition

The Children’s Mental Health Coalition is chaired by Mental Health Reform and has 50 member organisations from a range of backgrounds and disciplines including children’s rights, human rights, education and mental health services. It calls on government to ensure a “whole school” approach to mental health service provision, clear referral pathways and the delivery of the full complement of Child and Adolescent Mental Health teams as promised under “A Vision for Change” so no child is denied timely access to such services.

Headstrong

Headstrong is the National Centre for Youth Mental Health. Their website contains information about Jigsaw – Headstrong’s mental health programme specifically tailored for young people. The Programme involves whole communities working together to find ways to support youth mental health. The Headstrong blog, youth newsletters and e-newsletters are worth a look.

Shine

Shine is the national organisation dedicated to upholding the rights and addressing the needs of all those affected by enduring mental illness. A regional offices interactive map is a great source for support information, giving nationwide contact details of various services. Shine has an online library providing a range of information. Shine work closely with youth empowerment organisation Spunout where users can avail of a free text service which sends short updates on mental health services directly to their phone.

Barnardos

Barnardos is Ireland’s leading children’s charity with a clear mission – to make Ireland the best place in the world to be a child. Their website is very informative and includes information on how individuals and companies can support them & their latest campaigns as well as useful sections for teenagers and parents.

Department of Health & Children

Provides latest news, publications and extensive policy information. The Department of Health’s statutory role is to support the minister in the formulation and evaluation of polices for the health services. They are responsible for driving the implementation of a “Vision for Change” in conjunction with the Health Services Executive, Government Departments, non-statutory agencies, service users, carers and other stakeholders.

Inspire Ireland

The INSPIRE Ireland Foundation is part of an international network of foundations helping young people from the ages of 16-25 to address mental health issues.

ReachOut.com

ReachOut.com is Inspire Ireland’s practical on-line programme which has helped to improve young people’s health and well-being. Using new technologies and social media, Reachout.com encourages users to seek help and facilitates connections between young people so they can share their stories and provide support to each other in a positive environment.

Teen-Line Ireland

Teen-Line is a confidential, free phone helpline for children and young adults open 7 days a week from 7pm – 10pm.

SpunOut Ireland

Spun Out are an independent youth powered national charity working to empower young people to create personal and social change.

Rainbows

Rainbow Community Services is an independent organisation providing a range of services to young people aged 12-21.

Reachout

Supports needs of older and vulnerable people living alone. Website contains information on news, events, publications and podcasts available for donwload.

Dementia Ireland

Support website to the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre (based at St James’s Hospital, Dublin). The centre aims to reduce stigma and promote excellence in all aspects of service for people with Dementia throughout Ireland through education and research.

The Alzheimers Society of Ireland

It has an extensive national network of branches, regional offices and services that aims to provide people with all forms of dementia as well as their families and carers the necessary support to maximise their quality of life.