Details about some of the national organisations who provide mental health and suicide prevention support, information and training in the community.
GP | Find a GP in your area | HSE.ie online service finder |
Out of hours service | G.P. out of hours service | |
Hospital | Find a local hospital | HSE.ie online service finder |
Pieta House | Helpline – 1800 247 274 | www.pieta.ie |
Samaritans | Helpline – 116 123 | www.samaritans.ie |
CAMHS is a national free specialist mental health service for children and adolescents. It assesses and treats children with mental health concerns. It also provides advice, support and help to their parents or guardians. Some details about the service: | |
Cost | It is a free service. |
Age range and scope of their work | They see children and young people up to 16 years (or 18 years in some areas of the country). |
Scope of their work | They cater for young people who are experiencing a mental health difficulty that is having a moderate to severe effect on their quality of life. |
Examples of mental health illnesses catered for by CAMHS | Depression, anxiety, eating disorders and psychosis are some of the many conditions that young people can be referred to CAMHS for. |
How to refer a young person to CAMHS | To attend CAMHS a young person must be referred by a health professional such as a GP, social worker or psychologist who knows them. |
Some of the therapies that can be provided through CAMHS | Counselling, art therapy, family work, medication and speech and language therapy. |
How to find your local CAMHS office | Your GP will know where the nearest CAMHS service is located. Alternatively google ‘CAMHS Ireland’, ring them on 1850 24 1850 (open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday) or send an email to infoline1@hse.ie. |
A friend or someone you trust, such as your GP, may suggest a particular therapist. If not you can check our list of professional bodies to find a qualified therapist near you. Remember that counsellors who work with children and adolescents often have extra specialist training. Don’t be afraid to ask.
Organisations name | Contact details |
1. Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (01 2303536) | www.irish-counselling.ie / 01 2303536 |
2. The Irish Association for Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy | www.iahip.org / 01 2841665 |
3. Irish Council for Psychotherapy (01 9058698) | www.psychotherapy-ireland.com / 01 9058698 |
4. Family Therapy Association of Ireland | www.familytherapyireland.com / 01 2722105 |
5. Psychological Society of Ireland | www.psihq.ie / 01 4720105 |
MHI promotes positive mental health and wellbeing to all individuals and communities while adopting a recovery approach to mental illness. As well as providing mental health training they support people who experience mental health difficulties on their journey to recovery through their network of Mental Health Associations and Area Development Officers around the country.
1. A-Z guide to mental health problems and topical issues and treatments | Find out more about this at www.mentalhealthireland.ie, in their HELP & INFORMATION section. |
2. Mental Health in the Community (Certificate course) | Part-time course run over 1 academic year in a number of locations across the country. It looks at mental health promotion, reflective practice and much more. |
3. Mind Your Mental Health training (18 years and older) | This one day training is an introduction to the topic of mental health and well-being where participants can reflect on mental health and learn strategies to enhance it. |
4. Area Development Officers (ADO’s) | ADO’s support almost 100 Mental Health Associations around the country. They also work with a variety of local, regional and national agencies to support mental health work. As a youth worker developing a relationship with your local ADO could support you as you work with youth mental health. |
5. Partnership programmes | The partnerships cover a range of areas including music, performance arts, outdoor activities and more. In this way MHI gets to explore different elements of mental health and wellbeing and expand their reach to new audiences. |
6. Mental Health Associations and Peer Initiatives | MHI has over 90 Mental Health Associations around the country. They are run by volunteers including mental health professionals, people with an experience of mental illness, and their families. They provide advice and information on mental health issues, run peer initiatives and more. |
NOSP work with communities and organisations across the country to help respond to suicide and self-harm.
Regional Officers for Suicide Prevention
|
HSE Resource Officers for Suicide Prevention work with individuals, organisations and communities to build awareness, capacity and confidence to respond to suicide and self-harm issues through the delivery of programmes such as ‘SafeTALK (suicide alertness training), A.S.I.S.T. (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and Understanding Self-Harm Training. Information on local, regional and national supports and services are also provided. It is recommended that Youth Organisations form a relationship with their Local Resource Officer to avail of appropriate training and to ensure involvement in the development of ‘Connecting for Life’ Local Action Plans. Should a death by suicide occur within a Youth Service, bereavement support can be provided as well as linkages with other relevant services. Further details on HSE website |
Offers a range of services related to self-harm, suicide and bereavement.
1. Self-harm and suicide prevention counselling service for all age groups. | Contact them at any hour of the day by phoning Freecall 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444. Or contact them at any of their 10 centres across the country – centres for the prevention of self-harm and suicide. To find your nearest centre call 1800 247 247. |
2. Suicide Bereavement Counselling Centres, Pieta House | This suicide bereavement service, which was previously operated by Console, is now delivered by Pieta House. As the service is under review it is best to check for the most up-to-date information on services across the country at www.pieta.ie. |
3. Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service, Pieta House | Suicide Bereavement Liaison Officers (SBLO) are available in a number of counties across the country. They are provided by Pieta House Bereavement Services, in partnership with other agencies. Developing a relationship with your local SBLS may be a support to your youth service and help you in the event of a death by suicide in your service/community. To find out about the SBLS near you ring 1800 247 247. |
Shine is the national organisation that addresses the rights and needs of those affected by mental ill health. It caters for people 18 years and older. | |
1. Helpline | Shine advise people to use the Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 |
2. Counselling service | Counselling service is available in Dublin (counsellingdublin@shine.ie) and Cork (phone 021 4949 9948 / email counsellingcork@shine.ie) for those with severe depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Its confidential email support service (phil@shineonline.ie) supports anyone not ready or able to speak with a counsellor on these topics. |
3. Regional Development Officers (RDO’s) | RDO’s are located across the country and can deal with mental health related questions and queries in person or on the phone. They can also introduce people to a suitable support group if wanted. They have relevant and up-to-date information on local mental health services, information resources, training and much more. Find your nearest Regional Office on www.shine.ie. Developing a relationship with your local Shine RDO could support you in relation to the mental health needs of young people with mental illness. |
4. Education programmes | Education programmes are provided for people with a self-experience of mental illness to support them take control of their illness. They also provide a programme for family members and carers to give them knowledge and skills to enable them support their loved ones. |
5. Resource centres | Resource centres are found in Dublin (basinclub@shine.ie), Cork (basement@shine.ie) and Waterford (shinediscovery@shine.ie). Their aim is to provide information, support and educational and training opportunities for people experiencing mental ill health. |
1. Telephone and email service (adults) | The service is staffed by experienced mental health nurses. It is available 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday. There is an answering and call-back facility outside hours. This service is for members of the general public who have a mental health query about them self or someone else. | 01 249 3333 / info@stpatsmail.com / www.stpatricks.ie |
2. Information Centre | The Information Centre is open from 10am to 5 pm Mon- Thu and 10 am to 4 pm on Friday with late night opening until 7pm on Wednesday. It provides guidance and help in accessing the most relevant mental health information and services as well as information on support groups and service user rights and entitlements. There are also a range of self-help books for sale in the Centre. | St. Patrick’s University Hospital, James Street, Dublin 8 |
3. Walk in my Shoes (18-25 yr olds) | Walk in my Shoes provides a HELPLINE and email service for 18-25 year olds. It is staffed by mental health professionals. It runs from Monday to Friday (9-5pm) with an answering and call-back facility outside hours. Its website has lots work reading including mental health resources to promote positive mental health throughout the country. | 01 2493555 / help@walkingmyshoes.ie / http://www.walkinmyshoes.ie/ |
Your mental Health provides you with lots of information and places to go for support in relation to mental health. This includes links to videos, apps and podcasts. The information includes: | |
1. About mental health | This section of the website gives information about the ups and downs of mental health. It also explains what some of the more common mental health illnesses are and gives information about a variety of things related to each condition such as symptoms and where to find support. |
2. Mind yourself and support others | This section of the website covers minding your own mental health. It also gives information to people who are worried about someone else’s mental health. Finally it looks to support carers, friends and family of people with mental illness and provide them with useful information. |
3. Supports and Services | This section looks at mental health services you can access yourself and services you need to be referred to by a GP or other health care professional. Finally it gives information about the law in relation to mental health and ones rights. |
4. Get involved | Among other things in this section you will get information about training courses that are available, such as Safe-Talk, ASIST and WRAP. |
5. Where can I go | This section of the website gives you a director of services, including mental health services, across the country. |
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Carmel Walsh is the Youth Work Services Manager at Belong To, responsible for strategic planning and delivery of LGBTQ+ Youth Work in Dublin, as well as overseeing the Family Support Service and the National Network of LGBTQ+ youth groups in Ireland. With a strong background in youth work and European funding, Carmel brings extensive expertise in strategic implementation, research initiatives, and cooperation projects to enhance the quality of youth work for LGBTQ+ young people.
Michael Power is CEO of Involve Youth and Community Service, having worked within the organisation since 2008 where he held a senior role in the organisations national publication, Travellers’ Voice Magazine. In Michael’s time as Manager of the Travellers’ Voice CSP, he has brought to fruition various campaigns which highlighted Travellers in education and various employment settings in order to dispel the often negative stereotypes associated with the community. His most recent education campaign, “Degrees Ahead”, highlighted Travellers in third level education and the various paths to continued and adult education. He has also ensured the publication has become a platform for lesser heard voices within the community, highlighting individual’s achieving above and beyond the expectations imposed on them.
In Michael’s time as CEO he has been responsible for the development of Involves latest strategic plan which aims to improve the work of the organisation in the areas of Youth Mental Health and Employment, as well as putting in place structures to improve the collaborative work of the organisation to highlight and challenge educational disadvantages for the Traveller community.
Michael is a member of the Traveller community, and brings first-hand experience of the benefits of youth work in influencing future development. Throughout his career with Involve, Michael has developed extensive experience in the youth sector which brings together his love of working with young people and his passion for the rights of his community and marginalised people.
Dear [constituency] TDs,
We are constituents from [Constituency] who are calling on you to support young people in Budget 2024 by investing €9.4 million in young people and youth work.
It is a hard time for young people. COVID-19 impacted their mental health and social connections, and now, the cost-of-living crisis means many are struggling financially.
Youth work organisations say that deprivation among young people they work with is on the rise, and the need for youth services is growing dramatically as young people and their communities feel the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.
Youth workers are often a lifeline for young people, particularly for those who have the least. The wide range of activities provided by youth organisations support young people in their personal and social development, positive mental health, physical wellbeing, job skills and much more.
The rising cost of living is also placing a huge strain on youth work organisations themselves. A recent survey by the National Youth Council of Ireland revealed that nearly 3 in 5 organisations struggle to deliver vital youth work services because of inflation.
The Government must provide the necessary resources for these organisations to meet the growing needs of young people in [Constituency], and to provide an Ireland where young people can live, grow, and flourish.
That is why we are supporting the National Youth Council of Ireland in calling on the Government to invest an additional €9.4m in youth work services in Budget 2024, to provide more supports and activities for young people and meet the needs of our growing youth population. The NYCI and its members across the country believe this increase is needed to help ensure the sustainability of the sector, and deal with current challenges facing many services.
We request that you act on this call and use whatever avenues available to you to ensure that we see a Budget 2024 that invests in our young people.
Your constituents,
[Your names]
I have over 30 years experience in the voluntary Youth Work and Youth Sector in Ireland.
I am currently the Volunteer Development Manager with Forόige. In this role I am responsible for key tasks such as managing, developing and supporting the involvement of thousands of Forόige volunteers in all aspects of the organisation. I also lead on the design, dissemination and implementation of best practice standards in volunteer recruitment, management and retention policies and procedures. I am a member of Foróige’s child safeguarding and protection internal working group. I also was a member of the Ministerial advisory group for development of the National Volunteering Strategy, launched in late 2020, and I am currently on the communications working group for the role out of the strategy.
I believe that youth work’s essential role in young people’s lives has been made all the more obvious as a result of the pandemic. The restrictions caused by the need to protect vulnerable people in particular from COVID 19, were imposed on young people without them having any say in the matter. They became takes of others rules and priorities, without input or choice. This, while necessary at the time, is the exact opposite of what we want for young people. We want them to be heard, to be helped to develop their own views and values (not just absorb ours). We want them to be involved in decisions that impact on them and to feel they have an influence, with which comes connection to society and hope for the future. The National Youth Council of Ireland plays a huge role in representing the shared interests of the organisations who are its members. These organisations, large and small, bring a range of youth work approaches arising from various traditions and a focus on particular youth needs. The diversity of organisations provides choice and opportunity for young people to pursue their own interests.
This diversity presents a challenge too, in identifying and agreeing their shared interests on which NYCI can represent, advocate and influence. This calls for a president who will listen support, facilitate. It calls for an NYCI which is effective, well governed and compliant with all relevant governance and financial, management requirements.
I believe I have the necessary skills for this role from my role in Foróige and my previous experience on the board of NYCI, including a term as its vice president. I am aware of the need to represent negotiate, assert firmly but respectfully, to act together in seeking to influence government departments and politicians. I understand the need for a strong working relationship between president and CEO.
Nicola has been involved in Girl Guiding for over 44 years and has been employed in the CGI National Office in Dublin since 2013. Nicola has also been a volunteer leader with CGI in Wexford for the last 19 years.
In her role as National Office Coordinator, Nicola works closely with the NYCI and members of other youth organisations, through the Specialist Organisations Network and represents CGI at numerous meetings. Nicola also attends meetings with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs representing the uniformed bodies of the Youth Work Electoral College.
Nicola has held voluntary positions within CGI of National Secretary and National Commissioner for Ranger Guides and was a member of the National Executive Board. Nicola continues to attend CGI Board meetings in her current role.
Before moving to Ireland, Nicola worked for the UK Government and the Environment Agency in the nuclear industry regulation division and was also a youth member and then volunteer with the Guide Association UK.
I am currently a Senior Manager with Crosscare Youth Services with over 20 years’ experience having started my youth work career in CYC in January 2000, and was part of the merger with Crosscare in 2013. I line-manage our 6 Dublin West and East Wicklow youth projects, and also have responsibility for Youth Information and Outdoor Learning in Crosscare.
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Studies from Maynooth University, and last year I completed a masters qualification, gaining a (MSc) Master of Science in Innovation & Strategy in the Maynooth Business School. I feel there is a need to be innovative and strategic in future plans for the sector, as we seek to be sustainable and receive full cost recovery for the delivery of quality youth services.
I am currently a member of the Board of Adamstown Youth and Community Centre. This is in an area with broad cultural diversity and we are trying to develop some youth provision in this under-resourced area. We were recently approved for a new part-time youth worker and a dedicated Youth Diversion Project for Adamstown, to increase the Lucan Boundary. Greg has been a NYCI Board member for the last 3 years.
Eve is an active leader in her locality currently working with girls between the ages of 5 and 7, and previously worked with Irish Girl Guides’ older branch for 10- to 14-year-olds. Eve has previously represented Irish Girl Guides at the Erasmus+; Get Active! Human rights education among young people workshop.
In addition, Eve sat on the Membership, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion committee for Irish Girl Guides. Eve is a primary school teacher and focused her college dissertation on the impact of period poverty in schools. Eve has been a NYCI Board member since 2021.
Claire Anderson has been working with Scouting Ireland since October 2020 in the role of Communications Officer. She is an experienced journalist, marketing manager and communications expert. Claire graduated with an MA in Journalism and New Media in 2015. She is based in Cork and has worked with several high-profile businesses including the Irish Examiner. Working in marketing communications from 2017, Claire has created and implemented advertising and communications strategy for company expansion into eight new markets. She has worked closely with colleagues to build effective communication practices and systems. She has managed all content production from production to publishing and most recently developed a new central website for Scouting Ireland. Claire has over seven years of experience leading content production and successful marketing campaigns. She completed a Diploma in User Experience and User Interface Design this year. She also runs her own marketing business. Claire has been involved in dance since she was a child and is a keen supporter of the arts. She has volunteered with Cork Feminista and Husky Rescue Ireland, however, she is not actively volunteering at present. Claire lives in the countryside with her partner, dog, cats and hens. She enjoys sea swimming and hiking in her spare time as well as training for her first 10k race.
Mick Ferron is currently the Regional Youth Services Manager with Sphere 17 Regional Youth Service.
Qualifications:
BA Social Science from UCD
Higher Diploma in Youth and Community work from NUI Maynooth.
Sphere 17 is a community-based regional youth service covering Dublin 17 and the Kilbarrack area of North Dublin. The service operates from four different youth centres in the catchment area providing a range of different programmes, activities and support for young people 10-24 years.
Sphere 17 believes all young people can achieve great things. Their mission is to support young people to be the best that they can be, and they do this in different ways for different young people, as they need it, through the varied services provided.
In addition to the UBU funded youth service activity, Sphere 17, in collaboration with local partners, also provides a youth counselling service – The Listen Project, manages the Woodale Youth Justice Project, and is the lead organisation behind Creative Places Darndale.
Prior to his 16 years in management with Sphere 17, Mick has worked in community-based youth service provision in Ballyfermot and in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. He has also worked in the homeless sector, and in a drugs education project in Cork.
Originally from Canada, David Backhouse has been an active youth worker in Ireland since 2008. Chiefly through the YMCA, his involvement in many youth and community initiatives has brought him into partnership with Léargas, Cork City and County Councils, Irish Aid, CDYS, Youth Information, SpunOut, Comhairle ná nÓg, Foróige, Hub ná nÓg, Youth Work Ireland, CYPSC and many other local arts and community associations.
In 2016 David took up the role of Cork Regional Director for YMCA and in November 2019, began his current role as Deputy National Secretary, responsible for YMCA Ireland operations in the Republic of Ireland as well as providing support to all YMCA agencies north and south. He is passionate about Youth Participation, Creative Methodologies and the provision of high quality, well supported professional youth services to those in Ireland most in need.
Rose Marie Maughan Is the National Traveller Youth Programme Coordinator with the Irish Traveller Movement. She has been working in the Irish Traveller Movement since 2004 on a local, regional, national and international level in different capacities such as Board member, National Accommodation Officer, Membership Officer, Education Officer, Project coordinator.
She has both a lived experience of being a young Traveller in Ireland and issues facing young Traveller youth today alongside an in-depth analysis of youth work and issues facing the sector. She strongly believes in youth’s right to self-determination and meaningful participiation in finding solutions to issues affecting their lives.
In her current role as National Traveller Programme Coordinator, she is overseeing the implementation of the Irish Traveller Movement’s Traveller Youth 5yr strategy working towards giving Traveller Youth a voice in all sectors of society.
Garry McHugh is National Director of Young Irish Film Makers, Ireland’s national youth film organisation. Responsible for strategic planning, fund raising, artistic and programme development. Managing partnerships with national funding bodies such as the Arts Council, Dept. of Children & Youth Affairs, Screen Ireland and the Education & Training Board.
Since taking over the National Development of the organisation in 2014, Garry has worked with the team at YIFM to grow the capacity of YIFM programmes to work with double the number of young people over the past five years, delivering five times the number of contact hours with participants. Young Irish Film Makers now work with over 1500 young people annually across Ireland through the youth arts practice of film and animation. Demand is continuing to grow as YIFM film making and animation workshops are recognised for their ability to deliver high quality outcomes for young people from all backgrounds.
Garry is heavily involved in the programme design and delivery of informal education workshops delivering quality personal, social and creative outcomes for young people across Ireland. With a focus on film and animation workshops for secondary schools, youth development agencies and youth workers nationwide.
Before he became involved in youth development and youth arts work, Garry was a professional filmmaker, musician and enjoyed treading the boards as an actor. He believes this grounding in the creative industries led him to where he works now, with young people through youth film programmes. He has twenty five years of experience in film production, broadcast radio and informal education & training. His CV ranges from corporate communications and music video production to training and informal education programmes in film, animation and digital media production.
My experience comes from my many years within the Irish Second-Level Students Union, chiefly as president during 2020-21 where I represented student’s throughout the covid-19 pandemic, working with the Department of Education and education stakeholders as part of the State exams Advisory group to do what was best for our young people through an extremely challenging time.
My other experience across other organisations such at Spuntout.ie national action panel or partnering with other organisations here such as ICTU on young workers rights gives me the necessary experience to bring a new perspective to the governance of the NYCI.
I have been a representative of young people for the last 5 years at a local, regional national and international level – with my particular focus on youth representing and how that can be best achieved – I hope you can put your confidence in me to work as a member of the NYCI board to deliver this for you and continue the outstanding work of the NYCI.
Niamh Quinn is a Manager with Foróige. Niamh has extensive direct youth work and management experience within the youth work and non formal education sector. With Forόige since 2004, Niamh’s previous roles include Outreach Youth Officer working with young people aged 14 – 18 years most at risk; Senior Youth Officer and Acting Area Manager.
Niamh’s current role is supporting the development, roll out and delivery of CPD training and processes for the national School Completion Programme.
Niamh is the current Vice President of NYCI. Niamh is also the current Chair of the NYCI HR & Governance Sub Committee.
Niamh is a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin.