A NEW WEBSITE launched recently aims to be people’s one stop shop to get help when they are struggling with mental health issues.

Mental Health Reform launched MentalHelp.ie, a new website which serves as a guide to the services and supports offered by Mental Health Reform’s 45 member organisations.

Feedback has shown that people who are in crisis or feel they need to talk simply do not know what supports are available to them.

The aim of the new website is to be a quick way for people seeking information about where they can get help.

Where can I get help? 

“We hear at many of our public meetings that people are unsure of where to go next when they or a loved one first start to experience a mental health difficulty. We also hear that GPs sometimes don’t know about the range of voluntary sector supports and services that are out there. This website is an attempt to bring that wealth of information together,” said a spokesperson for the group.

The Sea Change research from 2012 shows welcome results that there has been an increase in awareness of mental health issues, but more people are presenting with mental health problems.

The research also finds that while more people are more willing to seek professional help, there is a greater reluctance to be open and disclose information about a mental health problem in personal and professional relationships.

While there is more awareness that mental health problems exist, people are still wary of telling anyone.

Taking the first step to ask for help can be the most difficult thing to do, said Mental Health Reform, saying that this is why a website of this kind, that is accessible to all, is so important to point people in the right direction of where they can go and get help.

They added that more and more people see online mental health services as an option and is a good resource for people in finding out what supports are available.

To find out more about MentalHelp.ie click here> 

Here is a list of other numbers that can help:

Helplines:

• Console 1800 201 890 – (suicide prevention, self-harm, bereavement)

• Aware 1890 303 302 (depression, anxiety)

• Pieta House 01 601 0000 or email mary@pieta.ie - (suicide, self-harm, bereavement)

• Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)

• Childline 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)

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