Many of us need help for our mental health at different times in our lives. If you or someone you know are in distress, feeling overwhelmed, or needing to talk to someone urgently, please know that you can get support at any time of day or night.
Talking to your GP can be an important first step. Your GP will be able to give you more information and refer you to the appropriate services if you need more support or treatment for your mental health. You can contact your own local GP or find a GP service through the Health Service Executive (HSE) or the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP).
You might also find it helpful to see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page, where we provide information about mental health, our services, and other relevant supports. You can visit our FAQs page here.
If you are in crisis, please see more below on the different supports available.
Crisis support
GP
If you need urgent help, do try to get in touch with your GP as soon as possible. Your GP will know your medical history and this will help them to guide you and identify what supports will be best for you at this time.
Helplines
There are a number of helplines available, many of which operate 24 hours a day, so you can get support whenever you need it.
Samaritans
Samaritans is a confidential, emotional support service for anyone in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The service is available 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including feelings that may lead to suicide. Its volunteers can offer you support through phone calls, emails and letters.
In the Republic of Ireland, you can call the Samaritans helpline for free at any time on 116 123.
You can also email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org or find your local Samaritans branch here.
Pieta
Pieta provides free counselling to people with suicidal ideation, people engaging in self-harm, and people bereaved by suicide.
You can contact Pieta’s free helpline, which is run by qualified therapists, at any hour of the day by phoning 1800 247 247 or texting HELP to 51444.
See more on Pieta’s helpline here.
Text 50808
Text 50808 is a free text service, funded by the HSE, available every time of day and night. It offers a safe space where a volunteer will listen to you and help you with your feelings, texting back and forth for everything from a calming chat to immediate support for your mental health.
You can text HELLO to 50808, any time of day or night, to talk to a trained volunteer.
Emergency services
If you are in urgent crisis and can’t get in touch with your doctor or a helpline, please contact the emergency services.
Emergency services can be contacted at any time by calling 999 or 112 in the Republic of Ireland or 112 in the rest of Europe.
If you are at immediate risk of harm, you can go to the Emergency Department of your nearest general hospital. While there, you can be seen by a team who will assess you and help you through the crisis. Find your nearest hospital here.
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Frequently asked questions