We have put together a list of qualified, Irish Australian Mental Health Practitioners, who offer in person and online support to the Irish Community in NSW. The Irish Support Agency (“ISA”) makes no recommendations, guarantees or endorsements regarding the quality of service you might expect from any of the registered mental health practitioners listed here. Clients of the ISA should satisfy themselves as to the qualifications, experience and suitability of the practitioners listed.

Dóchas are our monthly health and wellbeing webinars designed to promote the mental health and wellbeing of the Irish Community in Australia.

Each session explores a different aspect of health and wellbeing, guided by the latest evidence and facilitated by an expert in the field.

They are broadcast on the first Monday of the Month at 7 pm via Zoom, and we encourage audience participation to have your questions answered by our contributors.

The webinars are also available in podcast format, so you can listen to them on the go, whenever it suits.

Depending on the mental health issues you are experiencing, there are a number of resources and supports available to you, and some of them do not require medicare.

The Irish Support Agency kicked off their Heath & Wellbeing Program in Spring 2016 with Mental Health First Aid training for Irish Community groups thanks to funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs' Emigrant Support Program. The rationale was to build the capacity of individuals, families, organisations and communities so they can contribute to the reduction of mental ill-health, suicide and related impacts.

Mental health first aid is the help given to someone developing a mental problem or in a mental health crisis. Regular first aid courses are widespread, however most of these courses do not address how best to support those with mental health problems. Mental Health First Aid training aims to fill this gap and can equally save lives.

Shoulder to Shoulder aims to provide a safe space where men are asked to come together, to share and listen their own experience with mental health.

The event is facilitated by trained professionals in the mental health space. The day consists of a number of contributors and interviews, offering new insights and learnings about masculinity.

Previous contributors have included Tadhg Kennelly, Ciaran Gribbin, Ronan MacDomhnaill and Ciaran Davis.

Topics that have been discussed at Shoulder to Shoulder:

Pressures of being a professional athlete

Financial Wellbeing

Lived experience of addiction

Lived experience of attempted suicide

Lived experience of depression

Managing your mental health

Women for Women aims to provide a safe space where women are asked to come together, to share and listen their own experience with mental health.

The event is facilitated by trained professionals in the mental health space. The day consists of a number of contributors and interviews, offering new insights and learnings about why women should, and need to prioritise their mental health. 

Although women are more likely to seek professional help for mental health issues, there is still an indelible need to focus on real and honest conversations amongst our friends and family.

Topics that have been discussed at Women for Women:

Avoiding the wellbeing overwhelm

Financial Wellbeing

Lived experience of addiction

Lived experience of suicide of a loved one

Lived experience of anxiety

Managing your mental health