Minister Butler marks World Mental Health Day 2025 with €4 million investment package in early intervention, digital and talking therapies
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 10 October 2025
- Last updated on: 10 October 2025
- unprecedented additional 300 whole-time-equivalent staff allocated to mental health services in 2026
- new investment of over €4 million focused on early intervention, digital and talking therapies
- mental health funding has now increased by over 50% since 2020
Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler has announced €4 million of new funding for early intervention services, digital mental health and access to talk therapies secured in Budget 2026.
The investment will secure the opening of two new early intervention youth mental health Jigsaw services in Co. Clare and Waterford, serving Waterford city, West Waterford, South Kilkenny and South Wexford. Jigsaw is a mental health charity that provides free therapy and support to young people aged 12 to 25 – both online and in person in one of their 18 – and soon to be 20 - locations around Ireland.
Funding is also being made available to establish a further five mental health Discovery Colleges for young people around the country, building on the existing centre in Co. Roscommon. Discovery Colleges promote mental health and wellbeing for young people aged 12-25 through peer-led workshops, co-produced with individuals who have lived experience and professionals.
Budget 2026 will see a significant investment of €1 million in Digital Mental Health to implement the forthcoming digital mental health strategy, a first for Ireland. This will bring investment in digital services such as online cognitive-behavioural therapy and text-based supports to over €7 million.
For the first time, Budget 2026 will establish a dedicated fund for community-based talk therapy services with a €1 million investment in local organisations providing counselling and psychotherapy. This is in addition to the €2 million in recurring funding secured in Budget 2025 to provide over 15,000 counselling sessions for men who are at higher risk of suicide.
The investment package of €4 million includes:
- funding to open two new early intervention youth mental health Jigsaw services
- five new mental health Discovery Colleges for young people
- a new talking therapies fund for providing Community Therapy Services
- additional mental health peer support workers
- funding to implement the new digital mental health strategy
- funding for a digital single point of access for youth mental health
Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler said:
"I believe every young person should have access to an early intervention service for mild and moderate mental health issues. I am really pleased to have been able to secure €1.3 million in recurring funding for the establishment of a Jigsaw youth mental health service for Waterford and the South-East and County Clare. Jigsaw is a really important service that intervenes in mental health issues early, helping young people to move forward and get on with their lives, and fulfil their potential.
"Investing in digital mental health, peer support and talking therapies is also an important priority for me and for Government. The more accessible and informal we can make mental health support, the easier it is to get help to people who need it, when they need it. I’m particularly pleased to see investment in community-based talk therapy services who are providing vital services the length and breadth of the country. I look forward to working with colleagues in my department and the HSE to substantially grow this investment in the coming years.
"The message I want to share on World Mental Health Day is that help is available, and everyone deserves support. I really want to encourage men to visit yourmentalhealth.ie/men to learn about the free counselling sessions we have made available. I also want to encourage all young people to try spunout’s Navigator tool to find helpful, reliable and accessible support 24/7."
Notes
Mental Health Budget 2026 – Summary
The total allocation for mental health services for 2026 will be almost €1.6 billion, a record funding level and an increase for the sixth year in a row. Mental health funding has increased by over 50% since 2020 when Minister Butler was appointed to the brief.
An additional 300 whole-time-equivalent staff will be hired in mental health services in 2026, representing 9% of the total growth in health service staffing next year.
This year’s budget will focus on investing in crisis support and suicide prevention; early intervention and talking therapies for youth mental health and expanding the National Clinical Programmes; including Dual Diagnosis, Eating Disorders, Perinatal Mental Health, and specialist services for older people.
Further initiatives in Mental Health included in Budget 2026
Crisis support and suicide reduction
Specialist Nursing Teams made up of Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists in all ‘Model 4’* hospital emergency departments out-of-hours (6pm-2am) to support people in crisis – (€2.8 million).
Three new Crisis Resolution Services including drop-in ‘Solace’ Crisis Cafes to support people in distress in Donegal, Kerry and the Midlands (Tullamore/Westmeath) – (€4 million).
Additional Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurses (SCAN) for supporting people in distress who present to GPs in the community – (€1 million).
Funding of €415,000 for several Traveller specific suicide prevention initiatives which have been co-designed with the Traveller Community
Increased funding of €1.7 million for suicide prevention community and voluntary organisations, including Pieta.
Funding of €1 million to implement a new suicide reduction strategy.
Funding to develop a new crisis response pathway for children and young people with 19 new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) specialist doctors for emergency liaison and out-of-hours as well as five new adult liaison psychiatrists – (€4 million).
National Clinical Programmes
A new Dual Diagnosis team.
Funding to re-open the Keltoi treatment centre.
New consultants for Perinatal Mental Health.
Two new liaison teams for Mental Health Services for Older People and additional posts for community teams.
A new Adult Eating Disorder team.
A new Early Intervention in Psychosis team.
Additional core staffing for Adult Mental Health Teams.
An additional specialist CAMHS eating disorders team.
Two new Mental Health of Intellectual Disabilities teams for children.
Additional Mental Health Beds
Funding to staff the opening of 10 dedicated CAMHS beds in the new National Children's Hospital Ireland.
Funding to reopen 11 CAMHS beds at Linn Dara.
Funding to open 10 new Intensive Care Rehabilitation Unit beds at the National Forensic Mental Health Service.
Support is always available
If you, or someone you know needs support, visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie – for information on how to mind your mental health, support others, or to find a support service in your area.
You can get help through:
- texting HELLO to 50808 anytime day or night (24/7) to text with a trained listening volunteer
- your GP
- Emergency Department
- HSE Mental Health Services
- spunout.ie/navigator (for younger people)
- yourmentalhealth.ie or telephone information line 1800 111 888 - anytime day or night, for information on mental health services in your area. Mental health supports and services - HSE.ie
- Samaritans on 116 123
- Pieta House on 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444