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:
The HSE has developed National Clinical Programmes to improve access to specialist care in key areas of mental health. These include:
For individuals requiring intensive care, inpatient treatment may be necessary. This can be provided in:
Inpatient and Specialist Mental Health Facilities
For individuals requiring intensive care, inpatient treatment may be necessary. This can be provided in:
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:
Crisis Support and Further Information
If you or someone you know is in crisis, immediate support is available:
For more details on mental health services in Ireland, visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie