Mental Health Support in Ireland
Mental health support in Ireland is being significantly strengthened through national reform efforts and sustained investment. The government’s policy Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone (2020–2030) outlines a strategic shift toward community-based, person-centred services, with the current Implementation Plan (2025–2027) focusing on early intervention, integration, and innovation.
Nearly €1.5 billion has been allocated to mental health services for 2025, marking the fifth year of record investment. These funds are dedicated to expanding counselling in primary care, developing specialist teams, enhancing digital tools, and improving service infrastructure to ensure trauma-informed, accessible, and recovery-oriented mental health support in Ireland.
Accessing Mental Health Services in Ireland
Primary Care and Counselling Supports
Most individuals begin their journey with mental health support in Ireland through their GP, who can assess symptoms, prescribe treatment, and refer patients to specialist services. The Counselling in Primary Care (CiPC) programme offers free counselling to eligible individuals without requiring a psychiatric diagnosis or hospital referral.
In addition to GP services, numerous community-based agencies collaborate with the HSE to deliver therapies, social prescribing, and emotional support. These local resources are essential in providing everyday mental health support in Ireland.
Specialist Mental Health Services
For those with complex or severe conditions, the HSE offers specialist services, including Adult Mental Health Services and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Access typically requires a referral from a GP or hospital clinician.
Multidisciplinary teams — comprising psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and occupational therapists — provide care for conditions such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, eating disorders, and dual diagnoses. Addressing waiting lists and reducing delays in care are central goals of the current implementation strategy for mental health support in Ireland.
Youth Mental Health Services
Youth-specific services are a core part of mental health support in Ireland. Jigsaw, the national centre for youth mental health, provides free, confidential counselling to people aged 12–25. Services are accessible both online and at walk-in centres, with a strong emphasis on early help.
CAMHS expansion plans aim to improve service access and ensure smooth transitions from adolescent to adult care, which is vital for consistent and effective mental health support in Ireland’s younger population.
Community and Peer Support
Social Prescribing
Social prescribing connects individuals to non-clinical supports like art classes, fitness groups, and volunteer networks to address isolation and enhance wellbeing. Over 40 services nationwide receive HSE funding, allowing referrals from healthcare professionals, family members, or individuals themselves.
This growing initiative reflects Ireland’s commitment to a more holistic approach to mental health support in Ireland.
Peer Support and Recovery
Peer support programmes involve trained staff with lived mental health experience assisting others in recovery. These services, such as Family Peer Support and Senior Peer Workers, are expanding across the country to offer empathetic, practical guidance.
Community Mental Health Groups
Organisations like Grow and Mental Health Ireland run community support groups and public education initiatives. These groups are key to maintaining grassroots-level mental health support in Ireland and encouraging social connection, which is critical to recovery.
Crisis and Emergency Mental Health Support
Emergency Departments and Crisis Teams
Emergency care for mental health issues is provided through hospital emergency departments and community-based crisis teams. These services deliver rapid assessments, particularly for individuals experiencing acute distress or suicidal thoughts.
Suicide Prevention and Bereavement Support
National suicide prevention strategies, such as Connecting for Life, underpin government efforts to reduce self-harm and suicide. Counselling and bereavement services are available for those directly impacted, reinforcing the safety net of mental health support in Ireland.
Supporting Specific Populations
Autism and Neurodevelopmental Supports
The Autism Protocol enhances early diagnosis and intervention for children and adolescents, providing tailored support that promotes mental wellbeing from a young age. Access to autism-informed services is an important part of inclusive mental health support in Ireland.
Supporting Housing and Social Inclusion
The HSE partners with housing agencies to support independent living for people with mental health conditions. Secure housing is recognised as a cornerstone of recovery and wellbeing.
Supporting Healthcare Staff
Wellbeing initiatives like Minding Your Wellbeing focus on stress management and resilience training for frontline workers, ensuring that healthcare providers themselves receive mental health support in Ireland’s demanding care environments.
Digital Mental Health Innovations
Digital tools, including online counselling, mental health apps, and virtual therapy sessions, are growing rapidly. The rollout of Electronic Health Records (EHR) is also enhancing coordination across services, improving access to mental health support in Ireland for both patients and professionals.
How to Access Mental Health Services
While many services can be accessed directly, such as community counselling and social prescribing, others — like specialist psychiatric services — require a referral from a GP or hospital doctor.
Resources include:
- The HSE Mental Health Services website
- Local health offices and Intreo Centres
- National helplines and organisations like Jigsaw and Mental Health Ireland
Conclusion
Mental health support in Ireland is evolving to become more accessible, community-focused, and digitally enabled. Through national policy, targeted funding, and a wide array of services, individuals of all ages and backgrounds can access the help they need. Whether through peer support, counselling, social prescribing, or specialist intervention, the goal is to provide timely, person-centred care that empowers recovery and wellbeing.