The HSE has been raising awareness of the common signs of mental health difficulties, and encouraging people to seek support if they need it.
It says difficulties such as ongoing stress, low mood, anxiety or problems with sleep can all be related to mental health. My Mental Health Plan helps people to identify personalised support options to help address any of these difficulties if present.
Donan Kelly, Assistant National Director for Child & Youth Mental Health with the HSE said, “We can all feel anxious, stressed or struggle with sleep at times and quite often we may think the best thing to do is to power through. However, the earlier we recognise these difficulties and take helpful steps to deal with them, the better equipped we can be to manage it before it feels overwhelming.
“We launched My Mental Health Planearlier this year and to date over 10,000 people have used it. This interactive tool provides people with a tailored mental health plan with advice ranging from information and self-help resources to clear signposting to appropriate mental health supports.”
The My Mental Health Plan is one of a number of tools and supports that are highlighted on the HSE website yourmentalhealth.ie. Among the range of supports available are:
- Stress Control: a HSE sponsored online programme that can help people to recognise stress, how it is affecting them and help then to overcome these feelings
- Minding Your Wellbeing: a free series of video resources to learn and practise key elements of mental wellbeing such as mindfulness, gratitude, self-care and resilience from HSE Health and Wellbeing
- Text About It: a free, 24/7 service, providing support from a calming chat to immediate support for your mental health and emotional wellbeing. Free-text HELLO to 50808 for an anonymous chat with a trained volunteer, any time
- MyMind: provides online and in-person counselling services, including options for low cost appointments and sessions
Derek Chambers, General Manager – Policy Implementation, HSE Mental Health, said,“It is encouraging to see so many people are engaging with the My Mental Health Plan and other HSE mental health resources. These are a good first step to check in with mental health and get advice and self-care tips that can be incorporated into your daily life.
“Budget 2025 sees an increase in funding for mental health services bringing the total to almost €1.5 billion. This investment will allow us to continue to progress in addressing people’s mental health needs, from population-based mental health promotion all the way through to specialist mental health services through the implementation of recommendations in our national mental health policy Sharing the Vision.”
For more information on mental health supports and services, visit yourmentalhealth.ie or call the Your Mental Health information line on 1800 111 888.
