Mental Health Supports and Contacts

Written by  in category 
March 31, 2020

The spread of coronavirus is a new and challenging event. Some people might find it more worrying than others and may need some extra support.

There are many things you can do to mind your mental health during times like this. Read more about minding your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak.

While it may not be possible to get face to face appointments there are a number of service providers that offer online and phone mental health supports and services. These include online counselling, phone and text services as well as online supports which can be found on www.yourmentalhealth.ie.

This page was last updated on 31/03/20 and is from the HSE website. See for more info and updates.

Online counselling and supports

Turn2Me

  • Free online counselling and online support groups for people over 18
  • Visit www.turn2me.org

MyMind

Jigsaw

  • Mental health information and a Q&A service for young people, their parents and guardians, and those who work with young people.  Jigsaw also offer an online group chat service.
  • Visit www.jigsawonline.ie

Shine

  • Shine are currently providing remote support and an outreach service to people experiencing mental health problems and their families and supporters by phone and email.
  • Visit www.shine.ie/covid-19 or email phil@shine.ie

Bodywhys Online Support

  • Support for people who are affected by eating disorders including for friends and families. Online support groups are continuing as normal.
  • Visit www.bodywhys.ie or email alex@bodywhys.ie

Suicide or Survive (SOS)

  • A series of free online wellness workshops and programmes are available from SOS
  • Visit Suicide or Survive for more information

Phone, email and text supports

Alone

  • Alone provide a COVID-19 support line for older people
  • Call 0818 222 024 (from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday)
  • Visit www.alone.ie

Samaritans

  • Emotional support to anyone in distress or struggling to cope
  • Freephone 116 123 (any time, day or night)
  • Email jo@samaritans.ie

Pieta House

  • Pieta House provides telephone and text-based support counselling for people who are suicidal or engaging in self-harm
  • Freephone 1800 247 247 (any time, day or night)
  • Text HELP to 51444 (standard message rates apply)
  • Telephone appointments will be provided to replace face to face appointments – contact your local Pieta House for details

Childline (ISPCC)

  • Ireland’s 24-hour national listening service for young people up to the age of 18
  • Freephone 1800 666 666 (any time, day or night)
  • Text 50101 (from 10am to 4pm every day)
  • Chat online at www.childline.ie (from 10am to 4pm every day)

BeLonG To Text Support

  • BeLonG To provide support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI+) young people in Ireland
  • Text LGBTI+ to 086 1800 280 to can chat in confidence with a trained crisis volunteer (anytime day or night, standard SMS rates may apply)
  • While face to face services are closed, information, referral and advice will be provided digitally, by email, SMS, phone call or video conference
  • Visit www.belongto.org

Aware Support Line

  • Information and support to anyone over 18 about issues relating to their own mood or the mood of a friend or family member, or who experiences depression or bipolar.
  • Freephone Support Line 1800 80 48 48 (from 10am to 10pm every day)
  • Support and self-care groups nationwide, are cancelled until further notice
  • Life Skills Online Programme continuing as normal
  • Email supportmail@aware.ie for services information and support

Crisis Text Line Ireland

  • A confidential messaging support service
  • Text TALK to 086 1800 280 (any time day or night, standard SMS rates may apply)

LGBT Ireland

  • Online support and through the helpline for LGBT+ people across Ireland
  • LGBT Helpline 1890 929 539 (every day)
  • Gender Identity Family Support Line 01 907 3707
  • Email info@lgbt.ie for support or information while face to face services are closed
  • An instant messaging service is available 7 days a week, from 6:30pm to 10pm Mon – Thur, from 4pm to 10pm Fridays, and from 4pm to 6pm on Sat & Sun

Mental Health Ireland 

GROW Mental Health Recovery

  • Information line 1890 474 474
  • Visit www.grow.ie or email info@grow.ie for more information, or while peer support groups are postponed

Exchange House Ireland National Traveller Mental Health Service

  • Telephone and online services and supports are available while face to face and group services have stopped
  • Call 01 8721094 (then press 1) for support, help or advice (from 9am to 5pm every day)
  • Visit www.exchangehouse.ie for more information

Bodywhys 

  • Helpline 1890 200 444 (Monday, Wednesday and Sunday from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and Saturday from 10.30am to 12.30pm) 
  • Visit www.bodywhys.ie for email alex@bodywhys.ie for more information

Practitioner Health

Supports for older people 

  • Alone provide a COVID-19 support line for older people
    Call 0818 222 024 (from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday)
    Visit www.alone.ie

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland 

Seniorline 

  • Confidential listening service for older people provided by trained older volunteers
  • Call 1800 804 591 (lines are open every day from 10am to 10pm) 
  • Visit www.thirdageireland.ie/seniorline for more information 

Mobile apps to support your mental health

These mobile apps can help you manage anxiety. They have been reviewed and approved for listing here, by a group in the HSE (Mental Health Apps Review Sub Group). The app developers are solely responsible for their app’s advertisement, compliance and fitness for purpose. Unless stated otherwise, apps are not supplied by the HSE, and the HSE is not liable for their use.

Mindshift (by Anxiety Canada)

A user-friendly self-help tool based on proven scientific strategies, MindShift CBT teaches about anxiety, helping users to engage in healthy thinking and to take action. Users check in each day to track their anxiety and work with tools in the app.

Clear Fear

Clear Fear is an app developed for teenage mental health charity Stem4 which uses the evidence-based treatment CBT to focus on learning to reduce the physical responses to threat by learning to breathe, relax and be mindful as well as changing thoughts and behaviours and releasing emotions. You can personalise the app if you so wish and you will be able to track your progress and notice change.

Headspace

Headspace is a well-known mobile app that teaches meditation and easy to use mindfulness skills. Map your journey, track your progress, and reap rewards in your overall health and wellbeing. You can even ‘buddy up’ with friends and motivate each other along the way.

More online supports

The YourMentalHealth.ie website provides information and signposting on all mental health supports and services that are available nationally & locally provided by the HSE and its funded partners. You can also call the freephone YourMentalHealth Information Line to find supports and services 1800 111 888 (any time, day or night).


And just like that, we are back…………………

As another term begins, we hope you had a nice Easter and enjoyed the lovely weather. It is the little things that we really appreciate in these difficult times. We hope that you and your families are well and keeping safe. We really want you to know that you are on our minds and that we miss your faces, our chats, the fun, the things that make you, you!

To support you and your families we have compiled a range of resources and sites which we feel will be of great benefit in filling, what sometimes feels like, long days. It is hard to keep thinking of new ways to busy ourselves and learn new things. We hope that you will see this as a guide which you can use as much or as little as you feel able to. Some information will suit some and not others. 

That is ok.

We think it has become clear to us all that getting into some kind of routine is the best way to get through the day. Having a regular rising time and a regular bedtime is a really good start and end to the day. Then, in between, we can try to fit in as much or as little as we are able for. 

There is always tomorrow.

If you have found something that has really worked in your family please let us know. Sharing our useful experiences may really benefit someone else.

As ever you can contact us if you feel we can help in anyway – 

Patricia Moore P.Moore@shstullamore.ie Coordinator of the Leavy Centre

and 

Orla Keane  O.Keane@shstullamore.ie – Additional Educational Needs Coordinator.

Fun Activities

  1. The Great Isolation Activity Book

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gasHX74OYHHH4hrrP5Y823FarA_TgnuI/view

  1. Physical Activity

https://www.scoilnet.ie/browse-search/?q=*&fq=%7B!tag%3Dschool_grade%7Dschool_grade%3A5&fq=%7B!tag%3Dschool_discipline%7Dschool_discipline%3A36&fq=%7B!tag%3Dschool_topic%7Dschool_topic%3A210

  1. Baking/Cooking

https://www.instagram.com/the.littledish/

General resources for students with Additional Educational Needs

  • CEIST general resources: 

https://www.ceist.ie/resource/home-resources/https://www.ceist.ie/resource/home-resources/

  • Psychological services of Ireland:

https://www.psychologicalsociety.ie/source/18%20Practical%20Tips%20For%20Parents%20To%20Support%20The%20Psychological%20Wellbeing%20Of%20Children%20During%20The%20COVID-19%20Crisis.pdf

A visual instruction app, including flash cards and picture-choosing games, for children with autism and special needs.

  • National Association for Gifted Children – 

https://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources/resources-educators-parents-during-covid-19 

A site which aims to support students with a high level of ability in more than one area.

A collection of games and resources designed for a range of educational needs and stages. It includes provision for school closure.

A range of apps are available for pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) or Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD). All are interactive and many do not require significant coordination abilities.

An all-in-one app created to support people with communication and learning difficulties. For verbal and non-verbal learners.

  • Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families

 https://www.annafreud.org/media/11160/supporting-schools-and-colleges.pdf

A downloadable guide to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of pupils and students during periods of disruption.

Downloadable teaching resources to support pupils with SEND.

Comprehensive guidance on themed activities for learners with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). A full sensory curriculum is offered.

Resources from an award-winning, innovative school. The resources include apps and programmes

  • SEND Gateway

Website: https://www.sendgateway.org.uk/whole-school-send/find-wss-resources/nqt-videos.html

A range of SEND guidance videos created in collaboration with the Centre for Education and Youth (CfEY) in addition to many other experts within the sector. 

Downloadable activities aimed particularly at Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) and Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) learners.

A range of education and therapy resources for speech and language problems. A podcast is also available on iTunes for verbal and non-verbal children.

A guide to help parents adjust to remote learning by providing advice and links to resources.

Apps for Dyslexic Learners

  • SOUNDSLITERACY
  • WHAT IS DYSLEXIA
  • HAPPY MATH MULTIPLICATION RHYMES
  • READ TO ME
  • DYSEGGXIA
  • DD’S DICTIONARY: A DYSLEXIC DICTIONARY

Apps for Autistic Learners

  • SIGHTWORDS
  • SEQUENCES FOR AUTISM
  • SEE.TOUCH.LEARN
  • WORDS ON WHEELS
  • VERBAL ME
  • AUTISM HELP
  • AUTISM DDT SHAPES
  • AUTISM DDT LETTERS

Apps for learners with writing difficulties

  • THE WRITING MACHINE
  • IWRITE WORDS
  • LETTER SCHOOL
  • ALPHA WRITER
  • ABC POCKET PHONICS
  • WORD MAGIC

We really hope that you find something useful on this list. 

In the meantime, stay safe and take care of yourselves and each other, until we see you all again. 

We certainly hope that will be sooner rather than later 😊

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