Free and Low-Cost Mental Health Services in Ireland

Moving to a new country can be stressful, and Ireland has a range of free and low-cost mental health supports available regardless of your immigration status or how long you've been here.

What free mental health services are available in Ireland?

Several organisations provide entirely free support:

• Pieta House: Specialises in suicide and self-harm crisis support, offering free one-to-one therapeutic support at centres across Ireland (Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and more) and a 24/7 freephone helpline (1800 247 247) plus text support (text HELP to 51444).
• Jigsaw: Free mental health support specifically for young people aged 12-25, with centres in numerous towns nationwide and an online chat/text service, aimed at early intervention before issues become severe.
• Aware: Focused on depression and bipolar disorder, offering a free support line (1800 80 48 48, open daily), free support groups nationwide (in-person and online), and a Life Skills programme.
• Samaritans: Free, confidential 24/7 listening support by phone (116 123) for anyone in emotional distress, not just crisis situations.
• HSE primary care counselling: Adults with a medical card can access free counselling through the HSE's Counselling in Primary Care (CIPC) service, referred via your GP.

How do I access free HSE mental health services?

The starting point for most HSE mental health support is your GP, who can refer you to local Primary Care Psychology services, Counselling in Primary Care (if you hold a medical card), or, for more significant needs, Community Mental Health Teams. Waiting lists vary significantly by area, with some counties seeing waits of several months for non-urgent referrals, so it's worth registering with a GP early even before you feel you need to use these services. In a crisis, you don't need a GP referral - you can present to any hospital emergency department or call the services listed above directly.

What if I don't have a medical card or GP yet?

You don't need a medical card to access most of the free charitable services above (Pieta House, Jigsaw, Aware, Samaritans are free regardless of income or status). For ongoing therapy without a medical card, low-cost options include:

• Turn2Me: Irish online counselling platform offering free peer-support groups and low-cost professional counselling sessions.
• MyMind: Low-cost professional counselling (roughly €50-€65 per session, with reduced-fee options for those experiencing financial hardship) with centres in Dublin, Cork and other locations plus online sessions.
• College/university counselling services: If you're a student, most Irish universities and colleges offer several free sessions with a college counsellor.
• Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP): Check if your employer offers this - many do, providing free confidential counselling sessions.

Are there online or text-based therapy options in Ireland?

Yes - Jigsaw offers a free online chat service for young people, Turn2Me offers online group and individual therapy, and Pieta House's crisis text line (text HELP to 51444, the free 24/7 crisis text service run in partnership with Text About It) provides immediate text-based crisis support. These are useful if in-person appointments feel daunting or aren't practically accessible where you live.

What should I do in a mental health crisis in Ireland?

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or 112 for emergency services, or go to your nearest hospital emergency department. For urgent but non-life-threatening support, Pieta House's 24/7 helpline (1800 247 247), the Samaritans (116 123), or texting HELP to 51444 all provide immediate, free, confidential support around the clock.

Frequently Asked Questions