Veterinary Supports

There are a number of support services available to assist all veterinary professionals. Please find a complete list of these organisations and services below.

Irish Veterinary Benevolent Fund (IVBF)

The IVBF provides financial and other supports to veterinary professionals and their families on a strictly confidential basis. The IVBF currently provides a 24/7 support line, regular monthly income supplements, one off payments for specific purposes and short-term assistance with mortgage repayments.

Phone (for queries about financial support, treated in strict confidence): 087 448 1304
or Email: info@ivbf.ie

Free confidential 24/7 Vetlife Helpline
Phone: 1800 145 145 – leave a message and a trained volunteer will call you back within an hour
Email: anonymous email: https://www.ivbf.ie/ or https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/ – a trained volunteer will reply within 24 hours
Website: www.ivbf.ie

VetSupport Ireland

Vet Support Ireland is a voluntary organisation that provides a confidential listening and support service for all members of the veterinary professions in Ireland including email and colleague manned support services.
Email: info@vetsupportnorthernireland.co.uk
Website: www.vetsupportni.co.uk/roi/

Vet Space Ireland

Vet Space Ireland is a platform for veterinary professionals to engage as a community with the aim of promoting good mental health in the profession in Ireland. Vet Space Ireland run multiple campaigns which they promote on social media, with podcasts, live interviews on Instagram and articles on our website. Vet Space Ireland aim is to look after and support a large volume of veterinary practitioners and veterinary nurses who leave the profession due to mental health difficulties.
Email: inspire@vetspaceireland.ie
Website: www.vetspaceireland.ie
Facebook: Vet Space Ireland
Twitter: @VetSpaceIreland
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6xQPEvZ0lE852JbuYZALSD?si=I4a-IUhgTqipdbsI74xhtw

Mental Health Supports

Where to get help
There are different types of support available for people with mental health difficulties. Many of the supports listed here are available without a referral, and are provided by agencies with the support of the HSE.
If you need information about what supports or services might be helpful for you, speak with a GP or call the HSE YourMentalHealth Information Line (freephone 1800 111 888) anytime day or night.

Samaritans

Samaritans services are available 24 hours a day, for confidential, non-judgmental support. Samaritans is a service that can be used either if your situation feels more urgent, or if you feel like all you need is a good chat. There are branches of Samaritans in Ireland with volunteers ready to answer the phone if you feel overwhelmed. You can ring their helpline whether or not you have mental health issues, if you’re worried about a friend, and even if you’re under 18. All conversations with Samaritans are off the record, and there is no need to give them any personal details.

You can find your nearest Samaritans branch here. Volunteers are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
* Freephone 116 123
* Email jo@samaritans.ie
* Visit www.samaritins.ie for more information

Pieta

Pieta provide a range of suicide and self-harm prevention services.
Pieta first opened its doors in Lucan, County Dublin in 2006. Since then we have seen and helped over 60,000 people in suicidal distress or engaging in self-harm.

They operate 15 Pieta Centres, three Outreach services, and one Inreach service. Get in touch here.
* Freephone 1800 247 247 anytime day or night
* Text HELP to 51444 (standard message rates apply)
* Visit www.pieta.ie for more information
Text 50808

A free 24/7 text service, providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support for people going through a mental health or emotional crisis.
* Text HELLO to 50808, anytime day or night
* Visit www.text50808.ie for more information

Aware

Aware have a support line for anyone who is worried about depression, which operates from 10am to 10pm, seven days a week, as well as a support mail service. Aware also offer a suite of ‘Wellness @Work’ programmes that are ideal for helping your workplace understand the importance and value of looking after their mental health, and to use relevant coping skills to limit the impact of any challenges or concerns.
Helpline no. +353 1800 80 48 48 Open 10am – 10pm (Monday – Sunday)
* Website: www.aware.ie
* Email: supportmail@aware.ie

MyMind

MyMind provides fast and easy access to counselling and psychotherapy face to face and online. MyMind is the first and largest blended model of mental health care in Ireland, and is putting Ireland at the forefront of mental health innovation. MyMind has created a unique movement for community-based mental health services that work towards giving every person in Ireland equal access to mental health support early, affordably, directly, without stigma or delay.

* Website: https://mymind.org/
* Email: @mymind.org.com
* (+353) 818 500 800 (from Ireland)
* (+353) 1 223 8651 (from outside Ireland)
* (+44) 20 33 22 44 99 (UK and NI)

Suicide Prevention and Bereavement Training

The HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) provides a range of freely available education and training initiatives encompassing suicide prevention and mental health promotion. They include LivingWorks Start (online suicide prevention skills), safeTALK, ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and others, on self-harm and suicide bereavement. Visit www.nosp.ie/training for more information.

Publicly available HSE online health programmes

Stress Control online is an evidence-based stress prevention and management programme which aims to help people who want to learn effective ways to prevent stress or manage stress becoming a problem. It works for people with severe, moderate and mild symptoms of stress. It is a six session online class each lasting for 90 minutes. Dates for the next online sessions are available at https://stresscontrol.ie/dates/
Minding Your Wellbeing (MYW) was originally developed as an evidenced based, one day programme, promoting a positive approach to mental health and wellbeing. Since Covid 19 the programme is now available online as 5 video sessions, each lasting approximately 20 minutes. https://www2.hse.ie/healthy-you/minding-your-wellbeing-programme.html

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves. To read more about the services they provide, please visit:  www.mhfaireland.ie/what-is-mental-health-first-aid

In an Emergency

Hospital and Emergency Services
If you, or someone you know is at immediate risk of harm, go to or call the emergency department of your local general hospital. You can also contact emergency services on 112 or 999 anytime, day or night.

A GP

A GP can offer support for anyone in crisis. If possible, ask someone to come along with you. Find a service near you:
* GP or health centre
* Out of hours GP service