Mental health services for under 18s

A guide for parents about the options for mental health services for their child.

It can be overwhelming for a parent seeking access to mental health support for their child, so we’re hoping this guide might help you. Not all support is available to all children, as some organisations will work with children with moderate to severe mental health issues.

Your GP

Your GP is your first port of call for all health issues, including mental health. Make an appointment for you and your child to discuss your concerns about their mental health.

Your GP might ask questions about suicide or self-harm, and while it can be difficult to talk about these topics, it’s important you’re honest with them and tell them what you’re worried about and behaviours you might have noticed.

Your GP might ask you to leave the room to have a chat with your child on their own – don’t worry, this is completely expected. After this, your GP will give you their opinion and you can take notes and find out the next steps.

Your GP might refer you to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

To be accepted for support with CAMHS, you will need to have been referred by your GP, which means you can’t self-refer.

CAMHS deals with under-18s with moderate to severe mental health disorders, through evidence-based, trauma-informed assessment and treatment.

CAMHS is free, but medication and/or additional private support may come with additional fees.

Jigsaw

We are the National Centre for Youth Mental Health and we offer mental health support for people between the ages of 12 and 25. If you’re within the catchment area for Jigsaw, you can get in-person support. But we also offer online support.

It’s possible to self-refer to Jigsaw, but under-18s can be referred by their GP or parents, too. We do not offer support for those in crisis, who need specialist support.

Jigsaw services are free, but donations are welcome.

HSE primary care services

The HSE offers primary care services through centres all over the country and provides mental health support for under-18s. Both GPs and adults can self-refer to a primary care service for psychology.

This is a free service but waiting times vary.

Family resource centres

There are 121 Family Resource Centres in Ireland, run by Tusla, The Child and Family Agency. These Resource Centres are part of the largest family support programme delivering universal services to families in disadvantaged areas. Some Resource Centres have visiting psychologists.

Services provided by Tusla and Family Resource Centres are free.

School guidance counsellor

Not all schools have a guidance counsellor available, but if your child is worried or nervous about anything to do with school, like bullying or exams, then a guidance counsellor could help them.

If available, this is provided for free.

Charities

These charities all provide free support to those who they are able to help.

Pieta

Pieta offers one-to-one counselling for people who have self-harmed or thought about harming themselves, or those who have suicidal thoughts.

BodyWhys

This is the Eating Disorders Association of Ireland and they have online support groups for people aged between 13 and 18, along with information and support programmes for parents and guardians.

Barnardos

Barnardos offers individual counselling for under 18s, along with family support and bereavement support.

Childline

Under 18s can access 24-hour phone, online and chat support from Childline.