Youth Mental Health Signposting Tool
What is it?
The youth mental health signposting tool aims to provide young people, parents, caregivers, and those working with young people, with reliable up to date information on where to access supports and services at both a local and national level for a variety of mental health issues.
To use it, simply select the issue affecting your mental health or the mental health of the young person you are supporting and the area in which you live.
Services
You can narrow your search by choosing a region, a service offered, or both.
Abbeyfeale Bereavement Support Group
Free Support group service for people who are suffering the pain of bereavement, providing a welcoming and supporting environment with necessary literature and booklets for attendees.
Access Counselling abd Counselling Advisory
Access Counselling offer one-to-one general counselling available to all ages for a wide range of issues. Each session lasts approx. one hour. A low-cost option is available.
Addiction Response Crumlin
Addiction Response Crumlin (ARC) is a community-based organisation. It was set up in 1996 to respond to the drug crisis in the Crumlin area of Dublin. Over the years, ARC has developed a comprehensive and integrated set of treatment, support and rehabilitation programmes. Counselling available. Free – For young people dealing with drug addiction, be that personally or in their family.
Advocates For Autism
Advocates for Autism (AFA) is a local registered
charity founded by a group of parents of children
with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and based in
County Wexford. They aim to make a difference
in the lives of local children by promoting an
awareness and understanding of autism. The
group also organises workshops and social activities.
Aíseiri Treatment Centre
Residential and community programmes for people dealing with alcohol, drug and gambling addiction to find help, counselling and specialist support to get the help they need. Provides a range of treatments for people with addictions, their families or anyone affected by addiction. Provide a 28-day residential programme for adults over 18. Provide a detox unit for adolescents followed by a 42-day residential treatment programme. Provide secondary care in their Waterford unit followed by a continuum of care programme up to two years post treatment. Fees covered by private healthcare: VHI, LAYA and AVIVA. Grants are also available from the department of social community and family affairs, HSE and probation and welfare services. Management payment plans can also be arranged.
Aiseiri- Aislinn Centre
Provides unique, quality treatment for young people between the age of 15 and 21 years living with the destructive impact of alcohol, drugs and/or gambling. At Aiséirí Aisling they believe in the priceless potential of young people and work closely with families to help them understand more about addiction so that they can support their loved ones win back bright futures. There is a charge associated with the service
Anew
offers support for women in crisis pregnancy, new mothers especially those who are at risk of homelesness. Provide supported, temporary accommodation, life-skills, intensive key-working, peer to peer support and counselling. Free service
ARC Family Resource Centre
ARC Family Resource Centre is a place for all to belong, to grow and develop together in order to improve the quality of life for children and families in Adamstown, Clonroche, Raheen and surrounding areas. The Family Resource Centre offers services such as Adult and Adolescent Counselling and Play Therapy, Community Education and Parenting Programmes, Homework Club, Food Cloud supports etc
Ard Family Resource Centre
Offers one to one counselling as well as group counselling at low cost, deliver educaiton and training opportuniti+O156es, information advice and support to target groups and families, advice on accessing rights and entitlements and offer referrals to mainstream services
Nationwide Services
AsIAm
AsIAm is Irelands autism charity. They offer a rang of supports and resources for young people with autism and their family/carers on their website. They also offer an autism information line each Monday to Thursday 10 am to 3 pm @ 0818 234 234, email support can also be accessed at support@asiam.ie. They also offer talks, training and programmes to upskill professionals working with young people with autism.
Aware
Aware are the national organisation providing free support, education and information services to people impacted by anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and related mood conditions. Aware provide support, information and training, online and in person, to people over 18 years who are experiencing depression, anxiety and related conditions.
They run a Freephone HELPLINE seven days a week 10am – 10 pm, the number is 1800 80 48 48.
Access online support on supportmail@aware.ie, which provides a next-day response (Monday- Friday). For people with someone in their life experiencing depression or bipolar disorder, their Relatives Education Programme can be booked on their website
Barnardos
Barnardos mission is to deliver services and work with families, communities, and partners to transform the lives of vulnerable children who are affected by adverse childhood experiences. The organisation offers a wide range of supports and programmes to children and young people aged 0–18, through services and projects throughout the country. Barnardos has a range of services available to young people and families nationally, details of their centres can be accessed here https://www.barnardos.ie/about-us/find-a-service/
BeLong To
BeLonG To is the national organisation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) young people aged 14-24 years. BeLong To support services for young LGBTQ+ people include an informal one-on-one chat service, professional counselling and a drug and alcohol support service
For details of a support group near you, check https://www.belongto.org/find-a-youth-group/
They also provide counselling in their Dublin centre (Parliament Street) for LGBT young people with suicide ideation or self-harm issues. To set up an appointment, contact Pieta House Ballyfermot on 01- 6235606. Under 18 must have a guardian’s consent.
BeLong To also delivers training to youth workers and teachers to prepare them for StandUp week, which includes giving them the confidence to tackle homophobic and transphobic bullying as well as giving them an insight into LGBT youth priority needs in relation to support.
BodyWhys
Bodywhys, The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland mission is to ensure support, awareness and understanding of eating disorders amongst the wide community as well as advocating for the rights and healthcare need of people affected by eating disorders.
Bodywhys give online, phone and face-to-face support to people who are affected by eating disorders. Also provides support groups for family and friends.
Some of the supports offered by Bodywhys include;
Bodywhys Connect (online support group for 18+ year olds).
Youth Connect (online teen support group for 13 to 18-year-olds).
LoCall Helpline – 1890200 444 – check the website for opening hours.
Email support – alex@bodywhys.ie – with a response in 1-3 days.
See My Self – online psycho-education programme (15-24-year-olds).
CARI
CARI (Children at Risk in Ireland) provides child-centred therapy for children and adolescents affected by sexual abuse. CARI also provides therapy to children up to 12 years of age who present with sexually harmful behaviour.
Lo-call HELPLINE 0818 925 567 for professionals and parents seeking advice on support and counselling for children who have been sexually abused. Child & Adolescent Therapy is also available on a sliding scale cost, depending on people’s circumstances.
CARI have bases in Limerick, Dublin and Wexford, details for each centre can be found on their website.
Drugs and Alcohol Information and Support
Drugs.ie is managed by the HSE National Social Inclusion Office
They are responsible for providing services connected to a range of issues and vulnerable groups.
These include:
Addiction;
Homelessness;
Intercultural health (including asylum seekers, refugees and migrants);
Irish Travellers and Roma;
LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender);
HIV and AIDS;
Community development; and
Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence
Freephone HELPLINE (10am-5pm Mon – Fri) and online live chat to anyone in relation to drugs and alcohol misuse/abuse. Confidential and free.
Enable Ireland
Enable Ireland provides services to children and adults with disabilities and their families from over 40 locations in 14 counties, details of these serices can be found here https://enableireland.ie/services Covering childhood to adulthood their expert teams work with the individual and their family on a plan for each life stage.
EPIC – Empowering People In Care
EPIC work with young people who are in care (Foster Care, Relative Care, Residential Care, High Support, Special Care, Children Detention Schools, preparing to leave care, aftercare and those with care experience).
They have centre in Dublin, Cork and Limerick- the contact details for each can be found here https://www.epiconline.ie/contact-us/
The development of the YMHS tool
In 2015, the NYHP recognised the need to capture the voice of the sector in more depth through a rapid mental health needs assessment. One of the key findings from the Mental Health Needs Assessment was the need to support organisations, practitioners, and young people to access appropriate services. The Youth Mental Health Signposting tool was developed in response to this need.
The tool was revamped in 2024 to meet the emerging needs being communicated to the NYHP by Youth Workers and other professionals through consultation and engagement in the programme’s training and workshops.
We endeavour to keep this tool up to date. However, we are aware that new services and initiatives are being developed and launched all the time.
If you have a new service or an existing one not currently on the tool that you believe should be included, please add your information below.
Many thanks
The National Youth Health Programme would like to acknowledge the time, input and resources provided by a range of organsiations which contributed to the development of Youth Mental Health Signposting tool.
Disclaimer
The content of Youth Mental Health Signposting is provided for information purposes only. The National Youth Council of Ireland is not responsible for any interaction or outcomes between a client and a service provider listed. The NYCI does not endorse any professional or programme included in it map.