Finding the Right Help

Care Opinion has now been working with Sligo and Leitrim Mental Health Services for the last 4 years.  We work very hard to look after both authors and staff when posting feedback online.  Sometimes this means that Care Opinion signposts authors to other sources of help and ensure people are aware that there are organisations to turn to.  Its something also that staff responding on the site might also mention in their response.  

This has never been so important as during these very challenging times.  I am grateful for Martin Jones from Sligo and Leitrim Mental Health Services for this list of contact details for organisations that can help in a range of different circumstances:

 

Samaritans

Samaritans emphasize that they are a listening service. They will take a call from anyone who is worried, no matter how big or small that worry is.  You don’t have to be suicidal to benefit from their support. They have the time to listen in a non-judgmental way. They give the person time and space to let them figure out what is needed.

Emotional support to anyone in distress or struggling to cope

Freephone 116 123 (any time, day or night)

Email jo@samaritans.ie

Crisis Text Line Ireland

A confidential messaging support service; Crisis Text Line is a new messaging support service is available to listen to people going through a tough time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It provides in-the-moment anonymous support and problem solving when you need it most. Talking about how we feel can be difficult, especially at those times we most need to get something off our chest. Crisis Text Line offers an alternative for when we can’t use our voice. Crisis Text Line is accessible, anonymous, non-judgmental - and available by text. So if you can’t talk Text YMH to 086 1800 280 (any time day or night, standard SMS rates may apply

National Drug & Alcohol Helpline Freephone 1800 459 459

• HSE Drugs & Alcohol Helpline This confidential service has both a freephone Helpline (1800 459 459) and an email support service (helpline@hse.ie).The HSE Drugs & Alcohol Helpline provides support, information, guidance and referral to anyone with a question or concern related to drug and alcohol use and/or HIV and sexual health.
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HSE Alcohol & Substance Misuse Counselling Service (Sligo / Leitrim/ Sth Donegal / West Cavan) 071 91 43316

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North West Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force 071 915 1520

 www.nwdrugtaskforce.ie

www.askaboutalcohol.ie

www.drugs.ie

www.sligoleitrimdirectory.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

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

talk about it, text about it. Text YMH to 086 1800 280 to connect with a trained volunteer right now (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

Other Supports:   (all available on https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/mental-health-services/connecting-for-life/news/supports-and-services-during-covid-19.html)

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)

Turn2Me

Free online counselling and online support groups for people over 18

Visit www.turn2me.org

MyMind

Online counselling service

Visit www.mymind.org or email hq@mymind.org

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

Support for people with mental ill health. Shine also are currently providing remote support and an outreach service to people who use Shine services by phone and email.

Visit www.shine.ie 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  Phone, email and text supports

Alone

Alone provide a COVID-19 support line for older people

Telephone 0818 222 024 (from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday)

Visit www.alone.ie

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

Mental Health Ireland

Information and support for people who experience mental health difficulties

Information line (01) 284 1166 (from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)

Visit www.mentalhealthireland.ie or email info@mentalhealthireland.ie for more information