You can find information and guidance below on supports for young women's mental health.
Your GP can be your first contact if you have concerns about your mental health.
Do you need to talk to someone now?
Freephone Samaritans 116 123
or
Text YMH to 50808 (Messaging Support Service)
Support for young women’s mental health
HSE YourMentalHealth
Advice and information on common mental health issues and how to cope with them. Expert tips and things you can do to support your mental wellbeing.
Visit HSE YourMentalHealth website
- Freephone 1800 742 444 - HSE YourMentalHealth Information Line, available 24 hours. A member of their team can tell you about the mental health supports and services available to you, how to access different services provided by the HSE and funded partners, and opening hours.
Jigsaw – National Centre for Youth Mental Health
JigsawOnline provides mental health information for young people, their parents and guardians, and those who work with young people.
Visit Jigsaw website
You can speak someone at Jigsaw a number of different ways:
- Freephone 1800 JIGSAW (544729) - Monday to Friday, 13.00-17.00.
- Email help@jigsaw.ie - Anytime, and clinicians will respond from Monday to Friday, 9.00 -17.00
- Live chat service - 1 to 1 chat with one of the team, Monday to Friday.
- Live group chat - live discussions online on mental health themes, facilitated by a Jigsaw clinician.
- Check to see if there’s a Jigsaw service in your area for in person support, as well as sessions by video link and phone.
SpunOut.ie
Ireland’s youth information website with a list of nationwide services.
Visit SpunOut website
- Text SPUNOUT to 086 1800 280 - Text message support service. Standard SMS rates may apply. Available 24 hours.
Specific Supports for Young Women's Mental Health
Body Image
BodyWhys - The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland
Bodywhys is the national voluntary organisation supporting people affected by eating disorders and those who care for them.
Visit BodyWhys website
- Call 01 210 7906 - BodyWhys Helpline, Saturday 10.30-12.30, Monday, Wednesday and Sunday 19.30-21.30
- Email alex@bodywhys.ie - Email support service, email anytime.
- BodyWhysConnect - Free, online support group for people with eating disorders aged 19 years and over.
- YouthConnect - Free, online support group for people with eating disorders aged 13-18 years.
- Pilar Programme – Free programme for anyone supporting someone affected by an eating disorder.
- BodyImage website - Website with information, research, and practical tips on promoting positive body image. Also includes information for parents on promoting positive body image and self-esteem in children and young people.
HSE Eating Disorders Self Care and Information App
App which provides valuable information for those with an eating disorder and those who care for them. The app provides accurate information and advice on eating disorders, self-care, seeking help, and recovery.
Visit the website for more information and to download the app.
Violence and sexual assault
If you feel in immediate danger please contact the Gardaí or call 999 or 112.
If you're worried someone might see you have been on this page, you can cover your tracks. Read advice from Woman's Aid about covering your tracks online.
Women’s Aid
Women's Aid is a leading national organisation that has been working in Ireland to stop domestic violence against women and children since 1974.
Visit Women’s Aid website
- Freephone 1800 341 900 – National free helpline, available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Providing free and confidential support to women experiencing domestic violence, family and friends and professionals supporting victims of abuse.
- National Helpline Instant Messaging Service - Available 7 nights a week from 19.00-22.00. Additional hours during the Covid19 crisis include Monday to Friday from 10.00–13.00, Saturday from 12.00-13.00, and Sunday from 11.00–13.00. This service is run by a dedicated group of trained volunteers.
- Text Service for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Women - If you are a woman who is deaf or hard of hearing experiencing domestic violence you can text Women’s Aid on 087 959 7980 (08.00-20.00, 7 days a week).
- Language Line Interpretation Service - If English is not your first language Women's Aid offer support to women in over 170 languages through their Interpretation Service. Call 1800 341 900 and tell them what language you speak (08.00-20.00, 7 days a week).
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is a national organisation offering a wide range of services to any person affected by rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment or childhood sexual abuse.
Visit Dublin Rape Crisis Centre website
- Call 1800 77 88 88, National Rape Crisis Helpline - available 24 hours. Free and confidential listening and support service for anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted, sexually harassed or sexually abused at any time in their lives.
- Email counselling@rcc.ie - note that e-mails can only be answered during office hours.
- Text Service for those who are deaf and hard of hearing - Text 086-8238443, Monday to Friday, 08.00 to 18.00.
- Webchat support service - Free and confidential online support service for adults who have been raped, sexually assaulted, sexually harassed or sexually abused at any time in their lives. It is open to people from all over Ireland. This new service allows you to chat online, one to one, with a DRCC support worker. Monday to Friday, 10.00-14.00.
Rape Crisis Network Ireland
Go to www.rapecrisishelp.ie for information you may need if you or someone you know is impacted by sexual violence. You can speak to someone in your local center for information and to access specialist support. There are 16 Rape Crisis Centres in Ireland, you can find your local centre here www.rapecrisishelp.ie.
Visit Rape Crisis Network website
Sexual Violence Centre Cork
Sexual Violence Centre Cork provides support to survivors of all forms of sexual violence, including rape, child sexual abuse and sexual assault.
Visit Sexual Violence Centre Cork website
LGBTQI+
BeLonG To
BeLonG To Youth Services is the national organisation supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI+) young people in Ireland.
Visit BeLonGTo website.
- Text LGBTI+ to 086 1800 280 - 24/7 Anonymous Text Support with a trained crisis volunteer over text. Standard SMS rates may apply. A trained volunteer will listen to you and help you think more clearly, enabling you to know that you can take the next step to feel better.
- Email info@belongto.org
- BeLonG To/Pieta House Counselling Service - Free support for LGBTI+ young people in the Dublin area who are self-harming or thinking of suicide. Call 01 623 5606 or email lgbt@pieta.ie to book an appointment today.
LGBT Ireland
LGBT Ireland is a national organisation providing support, training, and advocacy which aims to improve the lives of LGBT+ people across Ireland.
Visit LGBT Ireland website.
- Call 1800 929 539 – LGBT Helpline, Free and confidential support service. Monday to Thursday 18.30-22.00, Friday 16.00-22.00, Saturday and Sunday, 16.00-18.00.
- Instant Messaging Support – Free and confidential support service. Monday to Thursday, 18.30-22.00, Friday 16.00-22.00, Saturday and Sunday, 16.00-18.00.
- Call 01 907 3707 - Transgender family support line, Sunday 18.00-21.00, Tuesday 10.00-12.00.
- Peer support groups – A number of different peer-to-peer support groups offering emotional, social, and practical support in a safe and supportive environment.
Depression, Bipolar and Schizophrenia
Aware
Aware provides support & information for people who experience depression or bipolar disorder and their concerned loved ones.
Visit Aware website
- Call 1800 80 48 48 – Support line, Monday – Sunday, 10.00-22.00.
- Email supportmail@aware.ie – Email anytime for support
- Support & Self-Care Groups – Support group for people, aged 18 years and over, to talk openly about depression, bipolar disorder, other mood conditions and their impact.
Shine
Shine offers a wide range of support services for people living with mental health difficulties and their families.
Visit Shine website
- Email phil@shine.ie – Confidential email counselling support. Emails are responded to within 24 hours Monday to Friday (except bank holiday Mondays).
MyMind
MyMind has created a unique movement for community-based mental health services that work towards giving every person in Ireland equal access to mental health support early, affordably, directly, without stigma or delay.
Visit MyMind website
Turn2Me
Community of fully qualified and accredited mental health professionals working online to provide a high quality, safe, anonymous and confidential space for you to gain support - wherever you are, whenever you need it, for whatever you are going through. Turn2Me offer peer support, online support groups, counselling and psychotherapy for Young People (Aged 12-17) and Adults (Aged 18+).
Visit Turn2Me website
For Parents and Carers
Barnardos
Barnardos works with vulnerable children and their families. Barnardos has services in various locations around Ireland and offers a variety of services including teen parenting support and 1-to-1 support for children aged up to 18.
Visit Barnardos website to find a service in your area
- Call 1800 910 123 - National telephone support service for parents in response to the challenges they are facing during the Covid-19 pandemic. Monday – Friday, 10.00-14.00.
One Family
One Family is Ireland’s national organisation for one-parent families.
Visit OneFamily website
- Call 1890 662 212 (LoCall from landline) or 01 662 9212 - AskOneFamily helpline provides information on: social welfare, finances, family law, housing, education, childcare, parenting, and mediation. It also offers a listening service for people who need support parenting alone, co-parenting or separating. Call (Monday to Friday 10.00-13.00 and 14.00-15.30)
- Email support@onefamily.ie
- Direct Mail (DM) on Facebook
Family Carers Ireland
Family Carers Ireland provides carers with expert advice, information and support.
Visit Family Carers Ireland website.
- Freephone Careline on 1800 240724 - Careline offers advice and support to family carers. Monday to Friday, 9.00-20.00 and Saturday, 10.00-12.00.
