From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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For anyone who feels they may need professional counselling support, the HSE National Counselling Service is available from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5pm. Details of the National Counselling Service and contact details for each area are listed below.
The National Counselling Service is also available to provide counselling for former residents of Mother and Baby Homes who are deaf/ hard of hearing. If you are interested in accessing counselling you can email your local NCS service or have someone contact your local office on your behalf. An appointment will be arranged for you to meet with a counsellor together with a sign language interpreter.
Due to current public health restrictions a face to face appointment may not be possible at present however a video session can be arranged.
| HSE Region | Area Covered | Telephone Number | Referral Email Address |
| CHO Area 1 | Donegal, Sligo & Leitrim | 1800 234 119 | ReferNCS_Northwest@hse.ie |
| CHO Area 2 | Galway, Mayo & Roscommon | 1800 234 114 | ReferNCS.West@hse.ie |
| CHO Area 3 | Limerick, Clare & North Tipperary | 1800 234 115 | Referncs.midwest@hse.ie |
| CH Cork, Kerry | Cork & Kerry | 1800 234 116 | ReferNCS.CKCH@hse.ie |
| CHO Area 5 | Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow & South Tipperary | 1800 234 118 | CAPA.SECH@hse.ie |
| CH East | South Dublin, South East Dublin & East Wicklow | 1800 234 111 | referncs.east@hse.ie |
| CH Dublin South, Kildare & West Wicklow | South West Dublin, Kildare & West Wicklow | 1800 234 112 | Refer.NCSDSKWW@hse.ie |
| CHO Area 8 | Midlands: Laois, Offaly, Longford & Westmeath | 1800 234 113 | ReferNCS.midlands@hse.ie |
| CHO Area 1/8 | Louth, Meath, Cavan & Monaghan | 1800 234 117 | Refer.LMCM@hse.ie |
| CHO Area 9 | Dublin North & Dublin North City | 1800 234 110 | ReferNCS.DNCC@hse.ie |
A new webpage with information specifically for former residents of Mother and Baby Homes has been set up at:
Outside of these hours, Connect Counselling provides telephone support. Anyone affected can also directly contact the CONNECT free telephone out of hours telephone counselling and support service where they can talk in confidence with a trained counsellor. This service is generally available between 6pm and 10pm Monday through to Sunday on 1800 477 477.
Free call Samaritans 116 123 or Text YMH to 50808 (Messaging Support Service).
Additional mental health supports provided/funded by the HSE are also available to former residents. Details of these supports are available on www.yourmentalhealth.ie.
ICAP run a counselling and psychotherapy service for survivors of institutional abuse which is available to survivors living in Britain. It is funded by the HSE and is provided free of charge. ICAP have many years of experience in providing psychotherapy for adult survivors of institutional abuse and their families and can be contacted on 0207 272 7906 or email clinicaladmin@icap.org.uk
The Department of Foreign Affairs through the Emigrant Support Programme also provides financial support to a number of organisations in Britain that offer support to survivors including:
There is a dedicated telephone information line available for people seeking further information about the publication of the Report. The department’s Information Line can be contacted on 01-6473200 from Monday to Friday 9.30am to 6pm or via email motherandbabyhomes@equality.gov.ie
The Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres receive funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs Emigrant Support Programme and provide support to the Irish/Irish American communities they serve.
Contact details for local centres can be found at ciic-usa.org/find-your-local-irish-center.
If you are living outside Britain and the United States your local Irish Embassy or Consulate can provide details of organisations who may be able to assist you at this time. Please contact your local Embassy or Consulate for details.
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