Who can use this counselling service?
This service is available for all Irish citizens (passport holders) living abroad or returning home from living abroad, that are in need of some culturally sensitive, emotional support from trained, qualified, insured and Garda vetted Irish based Counsellors. Each person can avail of 6 free online appointments; 7 days a week from Helplink (depending on your needs you may be able to receive an additional 3 appointments – speak to your Counsellor about this!).
Our Counsellors have already been helping the Irish abroad for many years with mental health issues such as:
feeling unhappy, feeling low, being constantly worried, not sleeping, feeling stressed out and/or anxious, behaviour problems, anger issues, feeling sad, difficulty dealing with a death, being bullied/cyber bullied, feeling confused, not feeling good about yourself, lacking in confidence and more!
Since 2016 we have provided this service to Irish citizens in over 25 countries globally!
Please Note: if you want to cancel or postpone your session you must do so 48 hours in advance or you may lose one of your 6 allocated appointments.
How does it work?
If you believe you are eligible for an appointment you can use our CONTACT FORM or email helplinksupport@helplink.ie with the words ‘Irish Abroad’ in the subject line and your location in the main body of the email. Our administration staff will then ask you a couple of questions in return offering you times and days to choose from; that are available in your timezone.
You will then receive an email providing you with all the details you need to know about how to start your first appointment.
When are the appointments available?
We provide online counselling appointments 7 days a week (closed Irish bank holidays and Christmas/New Years Eve).
We provide appointments at the following Irish time:
- Monday to Friday – 9 am to 9 pm
- Saturday and Sunday – 12 pm to 6 pm
To accommodate for time zone differences, when you contact us and you let us know where you are located, we will provide you with a list of available appointment times in your region.
I don’t have enough data / access to WiFi / a smartphone / a computer to have my appointments?
We are afraid we can only facilitate appointments if you have access to a reasonable broadband service and a smartphone or laptop/computer.
However, you may want to ask your local Irish support agency to help you – as they may have some facilities (private space) you could use and/or free WiFi. Click here to see Crosscare Migrant Project’s list of the non-government support agencies around the world that may be able to help.
Please Note:
Helplink’ Irish Abroad Online Counselling Service is NOT a crisis service
If you or someone you know is seriously contemplating suicide or in need of immediate help you/they should:
Click here to see a list of helplines across Australia or you/they should go to their local A&E; or Dial ‘000’ for emergency assistance in Australia.
Click here to see a list of crisis centers and contact numbers across Canada or you/they should go to their local A&E; or Dial ‘911’ for emergency assistance in Canada.
Click here to see a list of crisis centers and contact numbers across the U.S.A or you/they should go to their local A&E; or Dial ‘911’ for emergency assistance in the U.S.A.
Rest of the world:
Click here for a list of individual countries’ crisis hotlines.
Click here for a list of individual countries’ crisis services.
Or if you/they would like to contact the Irish Samaritans click here as their email contact system works worldwide.