Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Mental health services under medical card?

  • 08-04-2011 1:00am
    #1
    Haarlz
    Closed Accounts Posts: 48 ✭


    What services can you get that your medical card covers form the hse?Can you get free counselling,admissions etc?


Comments

  • #2
    Odysseus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,754 ✭✭✭Odysseus


    It depends upon the area where you live, but AFAIK in most area you can access the HSE Psych Services through your GP. This may or may not extend to counselling and I think the waiting varies a lot from area to area. However, your GP should be your first port of call, after that various counselling services offer a low fee service, once again though it really depends on what is on offer in your local service.


  • #3
    JuliusCaesar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,885 ✭✭✭JuliusCaesar


    Haarlz wrote: »
    What services can you get that your medical card covers form the hse?Can you get free counselling,admissions etc?

    It's all free of charge. We work in multi-disciplinary teams, comprising consultant psychiatrist, psychiatric registrars, social workers, occupational therapists, psychologists, mental health nurses etc.

    We assess and treat people.

    We provide in-patient units, out-patient services of day hospitals, day centres etc many of which run courses in anxiety management etc. Many of the staff have extra qualifications in family therapy or CBT or counselling, so these are also provided free of charge. The exact services offered will vary from area to area.

    This will give you links to finding out what is in your own local area.


  • #4
    lorsric
    Closed Accounts Posts: 56 ✭✭lorsric


    With the medical card, you can avail of the vast majority of services for free.

    Your GP must assess you, and send a letter of recommendation to your local HSE mental health clinic / centre, and they will in turn contact you. Depending on necessity (ie. if you pose a threat to yourself or others) or if you are simply experiencing depressive feelings, will determine how quickly you are processed.

    A letter and appointment will follow from the local HSE clinic, and once you attend, they will assess and review your medical background, as well as asking you every type of question,to evaluate your mental health.

    Naturally, there are helplines you can call - such as the Samaritans and Aware, should you need to speak to someone.

    If you need immediate help, go to your GP or the A&E of your nearest hospital. Most will have a psychiatrist on call, and it is better to act, than wait, especially if you have a fragile state of mind.

    There are support groups also across the country - see www.aware.ie and www.grow.ie - these are free, and can enable you to have an outlet while waiting to see a physchiatrist or psychologist.

    On the medical card - if you are prescribed medication, this is also free of charge (50c surcharge per prescription item).

    Some advice, if you feel you are not being looked after or find you are not improving, tell someone. Without being told, sometimes it is difficult for accurate diagnosis to be made.


Advertisement