Helpful resources
Childline
Childline is a helpline which specialises in helping children with any problems they may have - whether it's bullying, discrimination, abuse; there will always be someone there to help you out and talk. You can talk to one of the Childline volunteers by the phone (1800 66 66 66), which is available to call 24/7, or you can chat to them online through text. This service is completely annonymous, so don't worry about oversharing personal details - nobody knows who you are :)
Pieta house
Pieta house is a helpline which is specific for those having thoughts of suicide, and/or engage in self-harm. They provide a range of different services, such as therapy services, bereavement support, and even specific support for people part of the LGBTQ+ community (which can be seen on their website). For their crisis services, the helpline provides the option to call them (1800 247 247) which can be done 24/7, or you can text their therapists about any issues you might be having (text 'HELP' to 51444). Like all helplines, these interactions are annonymous. Pieta House also does a lot of fundraisers for these issues, like the Darkness into Light walk, to help raise money for these people who need their help.
Belong To
Belong To is an orginisation which helps people specifically in the LGBTQ+ community - especially young LGBTQ+ people. They provide support services such as a chat service (completely annonymous), professional counselling, and even a drug and alcohol support service. You can even join various LGBTQ+ youth groups close to home, where you can meet other people and share your experiences and make friends. They provide support services for those who need it right away (the previously mentioned texting service) and family support services - so families can learn how to support their child coming out. These are just a few of the wide range of services Belong To provides - you can visit the website to read more!
Jigsaw
Jigsaw, similar to Childline, is a helpline with young people in mind. They provide services like a live one-on-one chat (which is annonymous), helpful resources like articles and online courses to help parents/guardians support their kids, and help those who work with children on a daily basis. If any urgent help is needed, they provide some of the numbers of the previously mentioned helpline, as well as a free 24/7 text service of their own (text 'HELLO' to 50808). This isn't quite as much of a helpline as the others, but it provides crucial resources for helping and supporting younger people, which is crucial in this day and age.
Sexual Violence Centre Cork
Sexual Violence Centre Cork provides lots of services for people which may have experienced forms of sexual violence. This one is based specifically in Co. Cork, however, there is usually something similar in other parts of the country like the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre or the Galway Rape Crisis Centre. The services the Sexual Violence Centre provides include a freephone helpline (1800 496 496), counselling for those who have experienced sexual violence, and information/advice on these kind of issues.
