Minister for Mental Health highlights mental health supports available throughout Christmas
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 23 December 2025
- Last updated on: 23 December 2025
The Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler T.D. is today reminding everyone that support is available this Christmas.
Christmas can be a very challenging time for people, with pressures including family, finances and emotions such as grief adversely impacting on mental health.
It is important for people to be aware that they are not alone, and the Minister urges everyone to reach out for help if needed.
The HSE has excellent resources available online at yourmentalhealth.ie for anyone experiencing mental health difficulties at any time over the festive period.
Minister Butler said:
“Everyone deserves to celebrate and enjoy Christmas as much as they can, but we know that it can be a difficult time where our mental health is concerned. There are lots of pressures and demands on us at Christmas, and it can feel really overwhelming. There are pressures and a lot expected of us, and it can be a painful time for those dealing with grief and loss.
“That is why I really want people to know that you are not alone this Christmas, and I urge anyone feeling the pressure or experiencing mental health difficulties at Christmas to reach out for support when you need to.
“The HSE has excellent information online which can signpost you to the many different organisations we work in partnership with, and there are lots of practical tools designed to support you. If you need them, there are also crisis supports available every day.
“I want to pay particular tribute to all of the mental health staff and volunteers in organisations like Samaritans, who will take time away from their own family and friends to be there for others. It’s a wonderful expression of humanity and compassion and I want to thank them so much for their generosity.”
The HSE and partner organisations offer a range of mental health supports, with many available throughout the festive period. These include text and phone supports, counselling in person and online, stress control courses, breathing exercises and much more. For people seeking information on support options please visit yourmentalhealth.ie or call the HSE Your Mental Health information line on freephone 1800 111 888, any time day or night.
Digital mental health supports in Ireland are growing, with more and more people engaging with them each year. These supports are tailored for each person’s experience, meeting them where they are at and available at all hours. Supports include the navigator tool for young people, and My Mental Health Plan can assist with improving anxiety, low mood or sleep problems, and out of hours crisis supports can be accessed via Samaritans (call 116 123) or Text About It (text Hello to 50808).
Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for people with an eating disorder and their families, for many reasons. Bodywhys, the eating disorder association, has developed very helpful information on how to manage an eating disorder at Christmas, including detailed guidance and advice for anyone with an eating disorder, and a guide for family and those caring for someone.
For anyone currently supported by an eating disorder team, the HSE have confirmed that all teams will make arrangements with people using these services and their families for days when services are closed. In addition the HSE Self Care app will have additional guidance on how to manage during Christmas.
Notes
Mental Health Supports available at Christmas
- The HSE and partner organisations offer a range of mental health supports. These include text and phone supports, counselling in person and online, stress control courses, breathing exercises and much more. For people seeking information on support options please visit yourmentalhealth.ie or call the HSE Your Mental Health information line on freephone 1800 111 888, any time day or night.
Support is also available from:
- Samaritans: Call 116 123 (available 24 hours, 365 days a year)
- SpunOut: Text About It (text Hello to 50808)
- Irish Hospice Bereavement Support Line, in partnership with the HSE: Call 1800 80 70 77 (available 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday)
Information on Digital Supports
- In recent years, Ireland has developed and implemented mental health policies that strongly support mental health promotion and recognise digital supports as a key medium through which we need to offer services and supports.
- A range of digital mental health services are being delivered by, or on behalf of the HSE, with some notable initiatives achieving good engagement rates such as the navigator tool, My Mental Health Plan and the Balancing Stress programme.
- The HSE’s digital mental health strategy and the WHO’s roadmap on digital mental health, which has been developed in conjunction with the HSE and DoH, will be published in early 2026.
Mental Health Supports for Eating Disorders at Christmas
- It is very important that anyone with an eating disorder who does need help reach out to the range of community supports available to them.
- These include their own care practitioners including their GP and mental health teams, and the eating disorder association Bodywhys who have done a lot of really important work on the interaction between Christmas and eating disorders.
- Bodywhys has developed two excellent guides and a detailed podcast, led by a psychotherapist, with key information for people and families and carers on how to manage at this time of year.
- Bodywhys have also advised the Department of Health that their virtual support groups will be meeting as normal in December, and that their helpline service remains open over the festive period with the exception of public holidays.
For anyone currently supported by an eating disorder team, the HSE have confirmed that all teams will make arrangements with service users and families for days when services are closed. In addition the HSE Self Care app will have additional guidance on how to manage during Christmas.