Summer holidays are approaching and some students and parents may be concerned with how they are coping with their mental health during these difficult times. Below is some information from the Neps Pyschologist. It also includes some links to on-line classes dealing with stress and anxiety
Supports for young people available during summer months
Childline (ISPCC) Ireland's 24-hour national listening service for young people up to age 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 Youth Services BeLonG To provide support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI+) young people in Ireland Text LGBTI+ to 086 1800 280 to chat in confidence with a trained crisis volunteer (anytime day or night, standard SMS rates may apply) Visit www.belongto.org for more information
Jigsaw The Jigsaw Support Line is available for free mental health support and advice to young people aged 12 to 25 years old, and parents or concerned adults in Ireland. Freephone 1800 544729 (from 1pm to 5pm Mon to Fri) Text CALL ME to 086 180 3880, giving your preferred day and time for a call (from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday) Email help@jigsaw.ie (for responses from 9am to 5pm Mon to Fri) Visit www.jigsaw.ie or www.jigsawonline.ie for more information
Barnardos Barnardos provide a national telephone support service for parents, in response to the challenges they are facing during the Covid-19 pandemic. Freephone 1800 910 123 (from 10am to 2pm, Mon to Fri) Barnardos also provide a children's bereavement helpline service, for members of the public seeking information and support in relation to bereavement. Telephone 01 473 2110 (from 10am to 12pm, Mon to Thurs.)
SpunOut.ie SpunOut.ie provides a wide range of articles and information for young people, on many different topics, including mental health Text SPUNOUT to 086 1800 280 to chat to a trained volunteer (standard message rates may apply) Visit www.spunout.ie for more information
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).
Online counselling supports Turn2Me & MyMind Turn2Me provides a 3 tiered approach to supporting mental well-being; self-help, support groups and professional support. Online services include counselling and support groups. www.turn2me.ie www.mymind.org
The support offered by various agencies listed above are for individuals who are feeling worried or anxious about various issues. For students who have complex mental health needs access to help continues to be through your GP or health centre or hospital emergency services as detailed below.
GP and health centres A GP can offer support for anyone in crisis. If possible, ask someone to come along with you. Find a service near you: GP or health centre Out of hours GP service
Hospital emergency services Go to or call the emergency department of your local general hospital.
Telephone emergency services You can contact emergency services on 999 or 112.
Samaritans The Samaritans telephone service is available 24 hours a day or confidential, nonjudgmental support: Freephone 116 123 Email jo@samaritans.ie Visit www.samaritans.ie for details of the nearest branch
Messaging support service A new mental health messaging support service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It provides in-the-moment anonymous support when you need it most. This service aims to connect you with a trained volunteer in less than 5 minutes. They will listen to you and help you think more clearly, enabling you to know that you can take the next step to feeling better. Text YMH to 086 1800 280 (Standard SMS rates may apply)
Some on-line courses can be found through the following links:
