Mental Health Supports

Below are supports and services that you might find helpful to get in touch with.

Community support groups and services

They run different parent support groups and parenting courses. Some are organised specifically for parents of children with disabilities. They often organise other meet ups and events, such as exercise classes, baby massage, and coffee mornings.

Peer support

You might find it helpful to reach out to a parent-led group near you, to join one of their meet ups, or to get some advice on what local supports, events, and facilities they recommend

Carers support

Family Carers Ireland offers a range of supports to the 500,000+ carers across Ireland. They also run events. These are a mix of in-person and online events. They also have Support Offices around the country. 

Carers Support Managers provide support to family carers through and beyond their care journey by phone, online or in-person appointments to provide individualised information, supports and guidance. To find contact details for your local Carer Supports Manager and your local centre, see here: https://familycarers.ie/carer-supports/get-support/

Mental Health supports

For children:

  • Childline is a 24/7 support line for children and young people up to and including the age of 18.  Contact them for free on 1800 66 66 66. You can also use their Live Chat button on the website. Childline has an Advice section. Childline also offers free digital mental health programmesaimed at reducing anxiety for children and young people. They also run programmes for parents and carers supporting their anxious child or teenager. 
  • Jigsaw provides free, confidential, brief mental health supports for young people aged 12-25 in Ireland. Their Support section details their in-person services. To access their in-person services, check if Jigsaw has a service in your area. Jigsaw also provide online support. They also have an information sectionfor parents and guardians. 

For adults:

  • Parentline is a national, confidential helpline that offers parents support, information and guidance on all aspects of being a parent and any parenting issues. It’s a free service that does not require any referral. You can phone them on 01 8733500
  • Pieta provide free counselling to those with suicidal ideation, those engaging in self-harm, and those bereaved by suicide. It can be accessed free of charge and without a referral by calling 0818 111 126. Therapy is available nationally by phone, video and in person in 23 locations around the country. It offers a 24/7 Crisis Helpline and Text Service (freephone 1800 247 247, or text 'Help' to 51444).
  • Samaritans offers emotional support 24/7, 365 days a year, to anyone who is in distress, lonely, struggling to cope or feeling suicidal. You can contact them by free phone (116 123) or by email (jo@samaritans.ie). 

Also on this website

We have a section under National Organisations specifically for Mental Health. It includes additional supports to the ones listed here: 

Within this section of Tips and Strategies:

We have a page on supporting siblings of children with additional needs: