HSE Expands Free Mental Health Support for Young People Across Ireland

The HSE has partnered with Togetherall to provide free, anonymous online mental health support to 16 to 30-year-olds nationwide, building on successful work with third-level students.

The new service, launched today by Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler, TD, aims to reach more than 2,000 young people across Ireland this year through a safe, clinically moderated online community available 24/7.

Togetherall offers peer-to-peer mental health support through an anonymous platform where young people can share experiences, connect with others facing similar challenges, and access immediate support for issues including stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness and isolation.

Minister Mary Butler, TD, said:

"I am very pleased to launch this expansion of the Togetherall mental health support community. As part of an initial phase with the HSE, Togetherall will support more than 2,000 young people across Ireland this year, creating an inclusive digital community that complements existing mental health services. I want young people to have access to the support and community that can help them thrive and I believe Togetherall will be an important source of that support."

The partnership builds on Togetherall's established presence in Irish higher education. Since 2022, the HSE has supported the service across 13 higher education institutions, with feedback showing 87% of Irish students found it helpful or very helpful for their mental health.

Derek Chambers, Policy Implementation Lead, HSE Mental Health, said:

"This partnership builds on Togetherall's already established presence in higher education settings in Ireland. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with 87% of Irish students using Togetherall reporting that they found it helpful or very helpful for their mental health. Globally, Togetherall supports more than 20 million people across the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and North America, and we are delighted to expand this service to more young people here."

The platform, founded in 2007, operates around the clock with registered mental health professionals moderating all content to ensure safety. Members can share thoughts through writing or digital art, participate in chat groups, or join role-based subgroups including parents and caregivers, healthcare workers and others facing shared challenges.

The service includes self-guided courses focused on building coping skills and confidence, along with links to local mental health services, clinically validated self-assessments, a private journaling tool, and mental health resources.

Matthew McEvoy, CEO, Togetherall, said:

"We're proud to expand Togetherall's digital peer-to-peer mental health support across Ireland, especially for young people who would welcome a safe, low-barrier space to connect and support one another. Young people aged 16-30 in Ireland can now access 24/7 support, including those who are not likely to seek or use traditional mental health methods."

The platform plays a key role in reaching people not already engaged with mental health services. In Ireland, 83% of students using Togetherall are not accessing on-campus supports, and on average, 65% of activity on the platform takes place outside normal service hours.

Togetherall also reaches people from diverse and underrepresented groups who may face barriers to accessing traditional supports, including people living alone, single parents, individuals with disabilities, those unemployed or unable to work due to illness, and people from non-white or gender non-conforming backgrounds.