Youth Crisis Counselling Service

How can I get help quickly?

Chat with GP

If you are struggling with a mental health issue you should always visit your GP as soon as possible.

GETTING HELP

Apply for Grant

If your GP feels you need priority access to counselling you can apply to us for Grant Funding.

APPLY FOR GRANT

Attend Counselling

Grant Funding will pay up to €60 per session for 2 sessions with a registered counsellor of your choice.

FIND A COUNSELLOR

For Prevention, For Youth, For Life

Ireland still has one of the highest reported rates of death by suicide in the European Union with young males under 21 being most at risk but children as young as 9 years old have died by suicide too. Our experience is that the actual rate is much higher, and almost no school or community in the country is untouched by losing someone to suicide. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March we have seen the number of contacts looking for support for themselves, friends or family members increase by 390%. Many of them are in crisis and need immediate help and support.

Most mental health support services are totally overwhelmed just now and many people are unable to afford the cost of private counselling due to financial uncertainty. So Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland is now funding a Youth Crisis Counselling Service that will pay for immediate free access to a local qualified psychologist or counsellor by GP referral.

How does the process work?

You, a family member or a friend are in crisis, strugggling with mental health issues or considering self-harm or suicide
Seek immediate help from your GP
If your GP feels that immediate access to crisis counselling would assist they can refer you to a qualified counsellor or psychologist.
If you are unable to afford private counselling YSPI will pay up to €60 per session for a maximum of two sessions on confirmation of referral by your GP. If your counsellor charges more than €60 per session you will need to make up the difference.
Once you have booked your appointment you will need to complete a Grant Application Form.
If your application is successful we will contact your counsellor to arrange payment.
We suggest that this service only be used as crisis support while waiting for a CAMHS or other longer term mental health service appoitment.

PLEASE NOTE OUR CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

YSPI cannot select, provide or recommend a counsellor for you. You must arrange this yourself through your GP.
This is a youth crisis programme so the person receiving counselling must be under 20 years of age to qualify for this fund.
We can only fund a maximum of TWO crisis counselling sessions up to €120 in total. If you require additional counselling sessions you must fund them yourself.