Information

Am I depressed?

Learn more on how to recognise the signs of clinical depression, who is most at risk, and what types of support are available.

Common thought patterns and how they can affect your life

Biased thought patterns can distort how we see ourselves and the world. Learn how to recognise common types of biased though patterns so that you can challenge them more effectively.

Dealing with depression

From staying connected to trying new activities, learn about small, practical steps you can take to support your recovery from depression or low mood.

Dealing with difficult emotions

Learn simple steps to cope with difficult emotions. Find out how to identify, accept, and respond to feelings like anger or sadness, in helpful ways.

How do I find support for depression?

Information on places you can go and services you can turn to for support with depression and your mental health.

How do I know if I’m depressed?

Tips on how to recognise some common indicators of depression.

How do I support a friend who is depressed?

Tips on how to be there for a friend who is depressed and support them with what they are going through.

How to build new coping skills

Coping strategies are ways we manage stress. Explore different types of coping strategies, how to recognise them, and tips for developing healthier, more effective ways to handle stress.

How to change your thought patterns

Biased thought patterns can negatively impact your mental health. Learn techniques to identify, challenge, and change these patterns for better emotional wellbeing.

How to practise self-care

Learn about ways of minding your physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Get advice on overcoming common self-care barriers and find what works for you.

How to practise self-compassion

Self-compassion is linked to better mental health. Learn key strategies for practising self-compassion and how to challenge self-critical thoughts.

How to prepare for bad mental health days

Bad mental health days happen to everyone, but having a plan can make them easier to manage. Find tips on self-care, practical coping strategies, and recognising when to ask for help.

Low mood self-help tips

Explore practical, everyday tips for managing low mood and depression, from maintaining hygiene and eating regularly to keeping a mood diary.

What are antidepressants?

Learn about antidepressants: what they are, how they work, and possible side-effects of the different types.

What is self-care?

Self-care means actively supporting your overall wellbeing. Find practical tips for building self-care habits and overcoming common challenges to making self-care part of your routine.

Real life stories

A young person’s story on bipolar disorder and mental health language

Joseph tells his mental health story and speaks openly about living with bipolar disorder and the impact that language can have.

A young person’s story on going to therapy

Sam Cox, a young student in Dublin, tells his story on mental health, going to therapy, and the positives and challenges of self-care as a man.

Dating with depression

Jodie shares tips for dating while taking care of your mental health. It's important to look after yourself and do what's best for you.

How I learned to live with my Dad’s mental health issues

Mental health issues are different for everyone. Here are some ways this contributor learned to cope with their Dad's illness.

How my recovery from depression is a constant process

In Diarmuid's recovery from depression and anxiety, he shares the techniques that show his strengths when it comes to mental health.

How taking a break from your phone can help your mental health

Mental health and wellbeing is never a quick fix. Adam talks about small steps he took to look after his mental wellbeing.

Making the first step to healing my depression

Realising that they were experiencing depression, Marie started on a healing journey involving therapy and social media.

My route to happiness through depression

Laura shares what they learned in their mental health journey and how you can seek support through an open dialogue.

Overcoming depression when you’re in college

Rebekah shares how you can reach out for support when dealing with depression, anxiety or stress in school.

Why gender stereotypes have hurt my mental health

Mike talks about the pressure of stereotypes on young men and why it can be so harmful to their mental health.

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Aware

Aware provides information and support services to people affected by mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar and mood-related conditions.

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Childline

Childline is Ireland's 24-hour national listening service for all children and young people (up to and including the age of...

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I Fight Depression

The iFightDepression tool is a multilingual internet-based guided self-management tool for individuals with mild to moderate depression. The iFightDepression website...

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Innovation Recovery College

The Innovation Recovery College is an online education resource to support people recovering from mental health difficulties or for those...

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Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP)

IACP provides a directory of therapists that provide their paid services across Ireland.

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Jigsaw

Jigsaw is a nationwide charity that offers free therapy to young people between the age of 12-25, as well as...

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Local counselling services

A range of local, community-based services providing affordable professional counselling to children and adolescents, adults or both. Available in: Dublin...

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MyMind

MyMind provides professional counselling and psychotherapy, face-to-face or online, without waiting lists or need to referral. Face-to-face appointments are available...

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Pieta

Pieta provides emergency 24/7 text and phone line, online or in-person counselling and wider supports for those at risk of...

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Samaritans

Samaritans provide a 24-hour freephone number for anyone experiencing difficulty or who needs to talk.

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TeenLine

Teenline provides a 24-hour active listening service for young people up to the age of 18 in Ireland.

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Text About It

Text About It is a free, anonymous, 24/7 messaging service providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support for...

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Turn2Me

Turn2Me provides an online 3 tiered approach to supporting mental well-being to people aged 18 years and over. It includes...

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Your Mental Health information line

The Your Mental Health information line provide information on the mental health supports and services available to you and how...

Books, podcasts, and apps

Coming Through Depression: A Mindful Approach to Recovery

Coming Through Depression offers a mindful approach to recovery, combining practical strategies and self-compassion to help individuals navigate and overcome depression with greater awareness and resilience.

Connections: Conversations worth having

Mental health charity, Suicide or Survive, host a variety of important conversations as they talk to communities about stigma and mental health from the lens of lived experience.

Depression the CommonSense Approach : A Clinical Psychologist’s Guide to Identifying and Dealing with Depression

Depression : The CommonSense Approach offers a clinical psychologist's guidance on recognising, understanding, and managing depression with practical strategies for recovery and emotional well-being.

Finch: Self-care Pet

Finch: Self-care pet is an app that sets users with daily self care exercise targets for creating and maintaining healthy habits.

Grow Mental Health podcast

The Grow Mental Health podcast programmes explore different aspects of our lives to help build resilience and shared experience around mental health.

Headspace

The Headspace app teaches meditation and mindfulness skills. Find techniques that can help improve your mood, de-stress, and sleep better.

HSE Health and Wellbeing podcast

The HSE's Health and Wellbeing podcast explores a wide range of health topics with insights on how to manage our own health, access supports and achieve healthy outcomes in our communities.

Mindfulness : a practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world

Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World by Mark Williams and Danny Penman teaches simple techniques to reduce stress, improve focus, and cultivate inner peace through mindfulness.

Mindfulness Coach

The Mindfulness Coach is an app that provides gradual, self-guided training programmes designed to help you develop a mindfulness practice.

MoodTools – Depression Aid

MoodTools is an app that helps you track your mood. It also provides you with skills, coping strategies and tools for safety planning.

Overcoming depression : a self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques

Overcoming Depression is a CBT-based self-help guide offering practical strategies to challenge negative thoughts, manage symptoms, and build resilience for lasting recovery and well-being.

Overcoming Low Self-Esteem, 2nd Edition: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques

Melanie Fennell's handbook uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help readers challenge negative thoughts, build confidence, and develop healthier self-worth.

Stories of Recovery

The podcast series features local people who have lived through adversities that challenged their mental health and wellbeing and how they now flourish and continue to stay well.

SuperBetter app

The SuperBetter app offers interactive games and self-care ideas to help you cope with your mental health and wellbeing.

The happiness trap pocketbook

The Happiness Trap Pocketbook offers practical ACT-based strategies to break free from negative thinking, manage emotions, and build a more fulfilling life through mindfulness and self-acceptance.

Where is my mind?

Where is my mind? is a podcast hosted by Niall Breslin exploring how we can better look after our heads and our hearts.

Activities

54321 Grounding Technique

Grounding is a quick, easy way to refocus on the present moment by using your senses or simple mental exercises. Learn how to use grounding exercises to reduce stress in the moment.

Create a self-care routine

Self-care means actively supporting your overall wellbeing. Find practical tips for building self-care habits and overcoming common challenges to making self-care part of your daily routine.

Deep Breathing Exercise

Deep breathing helps reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve focus, and promote relaxation by increasing oxygen flow and calming the nervous system.

Guided Mindful Meditation

Mindfulness meditation can help boost your mood, combat stress and improve your wellbeing. Take 5 minutes for yourself today and practice self-care with this guided meditation.

How to create a safety plan

Safety plans are personalised lists of coping strategies and sources of support that are specific to each person.

Journaling

Journaling is a great activity to try as it helps reduce stress, boosts self-awareness, and improves mood. It can help you process your emotions, track patterns, and enhance emotional well-being.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is a technique that involves tensing and relaxing muscle groups to reduce stress, improve relaxation, and ease tension.