When someone experiences a mental health challenge having an understanding of what treatment options and information are available is important. This information could be helpful for people to make choices and decisions around the supports they need.

Family members, carers and supporters often feel confused and can lack understanding of a loved ones’ diagnosis. This site is replete with information on treatments, medications and different mental health illnesses for anyone who may be interested.

Family members, carers and supporters can also talk to  health professionals supporting their family member such as Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Nurses or any member of the team. You can find out more about the members of the multi-disciplinary team here.

Family Carers are often at risk of being socially excluded, with many reporting having to give up or reduce their employment, experiencing financial difficulties and worsening mental and physical health problems. It is generally accepted that social exclusion, the feeling of being excluded from society, is both a risk factor for and as a consequence of poor mental health and physical health and poor quality of life. Read more here.

The Choice and Medication website contains information about depression, anxiety, psychosis and eating disorders.

This link has tips on how to manage anxiety.

You can also watch Dr. Gabor Maté talk about anxiety below.

You can also find out about depression and anxiety and much more here and through the Aware website there are lots of supports for families and people with mental health challenges. Their support line helps people to explore helpful options and more information is available from https://www.aware.ie/support/support-line/ or by Freephone at 1800804848 or 01-6617211.

This resource by the NHS also provides lots of information about anxiety.

This link provides access to webinars/ lectures including this one titled, “Caring for Yourself when Caring for Another”

The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland is dedicated to supporting families, carers, individuals and health professionals and from this source you can access family supports.

Eating disorders are experienced as disturbances in eating habits and accompanied by physical and emotional distress.  Read more information on the impact of eating disorders on younger people.

See the link below about the HSE first Self Care App which provides information for someone with an eating disorder and for people who care and support them.

The short video below shows one person’s recovery journey from an eating disorder with the support of her family and more videos and stories of recovery are here.

See this webinar titled ‘Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2023- Hope and Recovery’ here.

The Choice and Medication website also provides information on addictions and more information is available here.

Renowned expert on addiction, Dr. Gabor Máte, explains in this short video that addiction is neither a choice nor a weakness but a means to escape pain and suffering, even if only temporarily and that health issues can be as a result of trauma

This article discusses a medication free approach which suggests that psychosocial interventions can be helpful to people who experience psychosis, and how recovery for service users is facilitated through options including various therapies and awareness through education.

Recovery Colleges also provide information on mental health and wellbeing through educational workshops that are co-produced by family members, service users and service providers. You can find contact details for Recovery Colleges here.

The information above on depression, anxiety, psychosis and eating disorders is a small example of challenges families may encounter in their lives and knowing that you are not alone and that there are supports available is important.

There are also lots of Talk Therapies for families to avail of if needed and contacting your GP or a member of the multi-disciplinary team will advise you on this.  Families can also be supported by family peer workers in many ways and they too have their own lived experience of supporting a loved one.

The family Peer Support Service can be contacted here.

As part of a holistic approach to care people use complementary and alternative medicines to aid their well-being and sometimes in conjunction with some of the resources above.

Complementary and Alternative Medicines have been used as part of an individual’s recovery journey and people benefit from using these practices.  Practicing for example Mindfulness, Journaling, Breathing Techniques and Spiritual Energy Healing can have positive benefits for people and you can find out more here.

Homeopathy, for example, is a holistic approach to care as professional practitioners look at all the person’s needs and this individual approach addresses the emotional, mental and physical symptoms – all of which are necessary for good health and recovery.

Contact details are here or by phone at 01 816 8830.

Acupuncture is a long established holistic approach to care and is a drug free therapy practiced by many people.  To find out more visit here.

To get in touch with the Acupuncture Council of Ireland click here or phone 085 8593818.

Below are more links to other resources and if they are new to you and you would like to find out more you can get in touch with these organisations or consult your GP who will be able to help you.