Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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836. To ask the Minister for Health when he plans to introduce a dedicated mental health telephone and text line in 2018 in addition to a pilot telepsych initiative that will deliver mental health treatment and therapies online; the specific areas in which the phone, text and pilot service will be rolled out; if additional resources will be provided for these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25288/18]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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As Minister with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People, I have set as a priority the development of a Mental Health Telephone/Text Helpline. My officials are currently working with the HSE Mental Health Services on a project aimed at improving access to mental health information and support through the harnessing of information and communication technologies.

There are a number of strands to the project as follows:

1. Enhanced web based mental health information with dynamic signposting to ensure the widest possible access to information on both mental health conditions and services.

2. An enhanced synchronous text-based (SMS / I.M. / Live chat) active listening service that will respond to queries on mental health and a 24 hour telephone service that will direct people to appropriate and relevant mental health / support services.

3. A feasibility study on the provision of online therapies and a framework for the quality standards that are required for the provision of such services.  Included in this work will be an exploratory pilot study examining the feasibility and utility of providing access to Internet-based counselling services within Primary Care Services.

I expect to launch the new service before the end of the year.