Resources

Counselling

Use the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (ICAP) to find an accredited therapist.

Mental Health

In Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email [email protected]. Other international helplines can be found at Befrienders Worldwide.

Aware provides free support, education and information services to people impacted by anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and related mood conditions. Visit Aware.ie or freephone 1800 80 48 48 (any day of the week from 10am to 10pm) for more information.

Text About It is a free, anonymous, 24/7 messaging service providing a safe space whenever you need to talk. Text ‘Hello’ to 50808 to begin.

Helplink Mental Health can provide accessible, free or low-cost mental health services locally, nationally and internationally, seven days a week and out-of-hours. Call 0818 99 88 80 or emaile [email protected] for information.

Your Mental Health from the HSE provides information on how to mind your mental health, support others, or to find a support service in your area. You can also call the Your Mental Health Information Line on 1800 111 888, any time day or night, for information on mental health services in your area.

Domestic abuse

Women’s Aid operates a national freephone helpline for domestic abuse at 1800 341 900, or visit SafeIreland.ie to find your local helpline.

Men’s Aid operates a national confidential helpline at 01 554 3811, or you can email [email protected] (operating Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm).

Rape and sexual abuse

Visit Rape Crisis Help to find your local rape crisis centre or call the 24-hour helpline on 1800 77 88 88.

Dublin Rape Crisis has a nationwide webchat service available Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays, and from midnight to 3am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

You can securely, confidentially and anonymously report the non-consensual sharing of your intimate images via Hotline.ie.

LGBTQIA+ community and support

The National LGBT Helpline provides a confidential listening, support and information service for LGBTQIA+ people. Whether you are queer or questioning, or learning to be a better ally, their volunteers can give you advice. Call 1890 929 539 (Monday to Friday from 7pm to 9pm). This service is operated by LGBT Ireland, a national organisation with localised knowledge.

Switchboard provides confidential phone support and information in a non-directive or judgemental way. This service is available to members of the LGBTQIA+ community as well as their parents, families and friends. Call 01 872 1055 (Monday to Friday 6.30pm to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 2pm to 5pm) and check out the website to find out when specialised support is available.

BeLonG To is an organisation for LGBTQ+ youth (up to 23 years old) in Ireland which operates youth groups across the country. You can call 01 670 6223 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or email [email protected]. You can also text ‘LGBTI+’ to 086 1800 280 any time you need urgent support (standard SMS rates may apply).

TENI (Trans Equality Network Ireland) operates a gender identity family support line you can reach on 01 907 3707. The website also provides a directory of support services available across the country.

Loneliness and isolation

Youth mental health service Jigsaw provides a live text-based webchat service where people in Ireland under 25 who are experiencing feelings of loneliness or isolation can speak one-on-one with clinicians. This service operates Mondays and Wednesdays from 1pm to 4.30pm and Thursdays from 2pm to 7.30pm. Outside of these hours, you can register to send an email and hear back from a clinician.

Men’s Sheds are community-based projects where men can come together to learn, share skills and make long-lasting friendships. Find a Men’s Shed near you via the Irish Men’s Shed Association.

Volunteering for a cause you care about is a great way to find like-minded groups and form friendships. Find out all the ways you can volunteer via Volunteer Ireland.