Youth Mental Health Signposting Tool

What is it?

One of the key findings from the Mental Health Needs Assessment, carried out by the National Youth Health Programme in 2015, was the need to support organisations, practitioners and young people access appropriate mental health services.

In response to this need a Youth Mental Health Signposting tool was developed.  It provides information on available youth mental health services, training programmes, community supports and children’s rights.

Services

You can narrow your search by choosing a region, a service offered, or both.

Cloyne Diosesan Youth Service

Youth service

Co Roscommon Youth Service

General counselling available for 12-18 yrs. No cost.

Congress Info & Opportunities Centre

The Congress Information and Opportunities Centre provide space for delivery of a suicide support programme “Solas”.  It provides group support for those whose lives have been […]

Crosscare Aftercare Service

Provides support, guidance and advocacy service for young people (18-23 years) who are leaving care. Some of the young people are also homeless and accessing mental […]

Crosscare Teen Counselling

Offers counselling to teens (12-18 years) and their parents. Process includes family involvement and is free of charge but donation accepted. See their website for more […]

Crosscare Youth Service

Crosscare youth services are found across the Dublin area. They are focused on prevention and crisis work for those in need. The activities range from informal […]

Cura

Cura offers support for parents of a new baby, a planned pregnancy, an unplanned pregnancy and counselling after an abortion.  The service is available to women […]

Donegal Youth Service (youth Work Ireland)

1. Direct one to one support for young people with all complex issues in Teen Talk .  This listening ear service is for young people aged […]

Drugs And Alcohol Information & Support

To speak to someone about drugs or alcohol contact the Freephone HELPLINE, from 10 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday.  Also available is an online live […]

Training

You will find here programmes for youth workers who want to upskill to better support young people and their mental health, young people to enhance their wellbeing, parents and members of the community on how to support youth mental health, and everyone on self-care.

.b – Mindfulness Project

Set up initially as mindfulness in schools programme it has now expanded to the out of school sector

3t’s

As well as delivering talks on a broad range of topics related to mental health 3T’s provide safeTalk training.  Check their website for details.   safeTALK […]

Aware

Aware is a national voluntary organisation providing support to people going through depression, anxiety and related issues.

Belong To

BeLonG To is the national organisation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) young people aged 14-24 years. Supports re: Covid_19 Monday chats service now provided […]

Bibo Training Programme

BiBo is an emotional and social skills mindfulness based programme developed in Ireland in 2014 by a group that included youth workers, psychologists and others. Its […]

Carlow Regional Youth Service (crys)

CRYS is a local voluntary youth service affiliated to Youth Work Ireland. Its mission is to support and promote community based youth work. It provides direct […]

Exchange House, National Travellers Service

Exchange House Ireland National Travellers Service is the largest Traveller specific front-line service provider in the country. Support re: Covid_19 Confidential phone counselling still available on […]

Foróige

Foróige is a national youth organisation which runs a number of programmes some of which are available to young people outside of the organisation. Support re: […]

Community supports

In this section you will find details about some of the national organisations who provide mental health and suicide prevention support, information and training in the community.

A number of national organisation’s have a presence around the country and provide support on the ground in relation to mental health.  In this section you can see who these organisation’s are, what they do and get details of how to contact them so that you can avail of their expertise and the relevant services they provide.

Pieta House is an example.  Pieta House is a national organisation well known for its 24 hour Helpline in relation to the prevention of suicide and self-harm.  However, they provide less well known services too, including having Suicide Bereavement Liaison Officers (SBLO) in a number of counties across the country.  Developing a relationship with your local SBLO may be a support to your youth service and help you in the event of a death by suicide in your service/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 247 247 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.

If you are planning to arrange a private appointment with a psychologist or counsellor, it is important to ask about their qualifications and whether they are registered with an accrediting body. It is also important to choose one who has the expertise necessary to deal with your particular concern, whether that is working with a young person, with bereavement or other topics.

To help you decide which professional best meets your needs:

  • Your GP may be able to help you
  • You can find information on accreditation and accredited counsellors at

Find out what to expect from visiting a counsellor at HSE website.

Mental Health Ireland 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.

The role of the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) is to effectively support, inform, monitor and co-ordinate the implementation ofConnecting for Life.

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.

Pieta House 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 (SBLS), 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 SBLO 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 SBLO 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. T: 01 249 3333
E: info@stpatsmail.com
W: 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
E: help@walkingmyshoes.ie
W: 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.

Children rights

Find out about young people’s rights in relation to mental health and who to contact for support or more information.

Contact the Children’s Rights Alliance for information on the rights of children who are experiencing mental health difficulties. Check their ‘Know Your Rights Guide’.

Contact details:

T: 01 662 9400

E: info@childrensrights.ie

W: www.childrensrights.ie

The OCO has two main roles:

1) To deal with complaints made by, or for children and young people about actions of public organisations.

2) To promote the rights and welfare of children and young people under 18 years old living in Ireland.

One of the actions outlined in the OCO’s Strategic Plan (2016-2018) is to pursue the rights of vulnerable groups of children and young people, including children with mental health issues.

Contact details

T: 01 865 6800

E: oco@oco.ie

W: www.oco.ie

Find out more about mental health and the law under the Supports & Services section of Your Mental Health Website.

The development of the YMHS tool

The work of the National Youth Health Programme (NYHP) is informed by national policy and strategy along with the needs identified by our member organisations and the wider youth sector. Mental health has been identified by young people and those working with them as the number one area of importance in the National Youth Strategy 2015-2020. The topic of mental health also arises regularly in the interactions between the NYHP and the youth sector.

The NYHP recognised the need to capture the voice of the sector in more depth through a rapid mental health needs assessment. The findings from this work have and continue to inform the work of the NYHP around how best to meet the needs of those working with young people in the youth sector, and to support the implementation of Connecting for Life, and the National Youth Strategy.

One of the key findings from the Mental Health Needs Assessment was the need to support organisations, practitioners and young people access appropriate services;

Staff felt they need more information about mental health conditions as well as what services are available and what those services do. They also need to understand what the referral pathways are for youth mental health services as well as how they can support young people safely.  In addition to this they want to be able to give information to young people about where they can seek help.

In response to this need the Youth Mental Health Signposting tool was developed.  It provides information on available youth mental health services, training programmes, community supports and children’s rights.

Many thanks

The National Youth Health Programme would like to acknowledge the time, input and resources provided by a range of organsiations which contributed to the development of Youth Mental Health Signposting tool

Disclaimer

The content of Youth Mental Health Signposting is provided for information purposes only. The National Youth Council of Ireland is not responsible for any interaction or outcomes between a client and a service provider listed. The NYCI does not endorse any professional or programme included in it map.