Mental health resources for supporting GP patients

Our mental health is something that is always with us, but many people many only associate mental health with experiencing a mental health difficulty. As with physical health, our mental health needs continuous care and attention to help keep it healthy. The idea of positive mental health is not that a person will never experience a mental health difficulty, but that we can all make choices to help promote overall health and wellbeing that can support us throughout our lives.

Here are some information resources and service signposts that may be useful in your efforts to support young patients presenting with mental health difficulties.

Information Resources

Managing mental health difficulties

• What are the different types of mental health conditions?
• Different types of therapy
• How to access mental health support in rural Ireland
• Using breathing to help anxiety
• Nine ways to manage anxiety
• What is cognitive behavioural therapy
• Dealing with depression

Understanding suicide

• Does having suicidal thoughts mean you are depressed?
• How to cope with suicidal thoughts?
• Suicide support services around Ireland
• How to create a safety plan for if you feel suicidal

Dealing with self harm

• What to do if you are considering self harm
• How to get support for self harm
• Practical help for self harm

Building positive mental health

• How to prepare for your bad mental health days
• How to practice self compassion
• How to grow your self belief
• 10 ways to maintain your positive mental health
• Dealing with difficult emotions

Service Signposts

TextAboutIt

TextAboutIt is a first of its kind for Ireland. It is a free 24/7 text service, providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support for people going through a mental health or emotional crisis – big or small.

From breakups or bullying, to anxiety, depression and suicidal feelings, our Crisis Volunteers are available 24/7 for anonymous text conversations. Our aim is to provide immediate support in the short term and connect people to resources that will help them in the future.

Free-text SPUNOUT to 50808 to begin.

Jigsaw

Jigsaw is a national centre for youth mental health. They focus on intervening early to support the mental health of those aged 12 to 25 years of age. Jigsaw operates 13 services in communities across Ireland. They offer a place you can visit for free with confidential support from trained mental health professionals.

The services Jigsaw offer include:

• One to one sessions for young people aged 12-25
• Phone helpline open Monday to Friday 1pm- 5pm, call 1800 544 729
• Text helpline open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, text “call me” with your preferred day and time for a call to 086 180 3880
• Email [email protected] open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, you can email anytime and clinicians will be responding from
• Visit Jigsaw.ie for more information

Turn2me

Turn2Me are a community of fully qualified and accredited mental health professionals that work online to provide a high quality, safe, anonymous and confidential space for you to gain support – wherever you are, whenever you need them, for whatever you are going through. 

The services Turn2me offer include:

• Up to six free counselling sessions for adults online via instant chat/messaging, video or email
• Eight video counselling sessions for young people aged 12-17
• Eight video counselling sessions for couples
• They also offer support groups online and peer support online
• Visit Turn2Me.ie for more information

Pieta House

Pieta House provides free therapy to those engaging in self-harm, with suicidal thoughts, or bereaved by suicide.

• Call Freephone on 1800 247 247
• TEXT HELP to 51444 (Standard message rates apply)
• Visit Pieta.ie for more information 

BeLonG To (for LGBTI+ young people)

BeLonG To youth services is the national organisation supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI+) young people between 14 and 23 years in Ireland.

Services include:

• support groups for young people and parents
• informal one-on-one chat service
• professional counselling
• drugs and alcohol support service

The services are confidential, free-of-charge and welcoming to all young people. Visit Belongto.org for more information.

Women’s Aid

Women’s Aid is a domestic violence service for women and children in Ireland. They offer advice and practical support for women and children who are being physically, emotionally and sexually abused in their own homes.

• 24/7 Freephone helpline, call 1800 341 900 
• Visit Womensaid.ie for more information 

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is a national organisation offering a wide range of services to any person affected by rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment or childhood sexual abuse.

Their services include: 

• National 24-hour Helpline: 1 800 77 8888
• Webchat support
• One-to-one counselling
• Court accompaniment
• For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, they provide a text service operating Monday to Friday from 8am to 6:30pm, at 086-8238443
• Visit drcc.ie for more information 

TENI

TENI is a non-profit organisation supporting the trans community in Ireland. TENI seeks to improve the situation and advance the rights and equality of trans people and their families. Visit Teni.ie to find out more. 

Men’s Aid

Men’s Aid specialise in supporting men experiencing domestic violence, whether this is ongoing or in a past relationship. They provide specialist counselling, practical information and legal options, while respecting and supporting you in all your decisions should you decide to leave or stay in the relationship.

• Call their national helpline on 01-5543811
• Visit Mensaid.ie for more information