As a psychotherapist and Clinical Manager at Turn2Me, I’ve had the privilege of working with people from all walks of life, including many who have left everything behind in search of safety. If you’re an International Protection Applicant in Ireland, or you know someone who is, I want you to know: you’re not alone, and support is available via Turn2Me.ie.
This guide is for you. Whether you’re navigating the asylum process yourself, supporting a family member, or working with this community, I hope it helps you understand what’s out there and why reaching out matters.
Why Is Mental Health Support Important for International Protection Applicants?
Leaving your home country is never easy, especially when you didn’t have a choice. Many people seeking international protection have experienced war, persecution, loss of loved ones, or traumatic journeys. On top of that, arriving in a new country brings its own challenges: uncertainty about the future, unfamiliar systems, language barriers, and being separated from your support network.
All of this takes a toll. It’s completely normal to feel anxious, overwhelmed, sad, or disconnected. Some people have trouble sleeping, intrusive memories, or a sense of being constantly on edge. These are natural human responses to extraordinarily difficult circumstances, not signs of weakness.
When we’re struggling emotionally, it affects everything else: our relationships, our ability to concentrate, our physical health, and our hope for the future. That’s why mental health support isn’t a luxury, it’s a foundation. Taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body.
What Mental Health Support Is Available for International Protection Applicants in Ireland?
Ireland has a range of services designed to support forced migrants, and many of them are free.
Turn2Me – Built With You in Mind
At Turn2Me, we created our Migrant Support Services because we understood that traditional mental health services don’t always meet the needs of people who’ve been forced to leave their homes. We offer:
- Free Online Counselling – One-to-one sessions with trauma-informed therapists who understand what you’re going through. Because it’s online, you can access support from wherever you are in Ireland — no travel, no waiting rooms, just a private, safe conversation from a space where you feel comfortable.
- Weekly Support Groups – A chance to connect with others who truly understand your experience, have lived experience of their own. These groups are warm, welcoming, and led by trained facilitators. Many people tell us that simply being in a room (even a virtual one) with others who “get it” helps them feel less alone.
- No Documentation Required – You don’t need a PPS number, medical card, or any paperwork to access our services. We believe that support should be available to everyone, regardless of where you are in the protection process.
What makes Turn2Me different is that we designed these services specifically for migrants. We know the asylum process is exhausting and uncertain. We know you might be carrying experiences that are hard to put into words. And we know that trusting someone new, especially in a new country, takes courage. Our team is trained to meet you where you are, at your own pace, with no pressure and no judgement.
Other Supports in Ireland
- Irish Red Cross Mental Health Services – The Irish Red Cross offers Self Help Plus (a five-week stress management programme), trauma-informed psychotherapy in multiple languages including Ukrainian and Arabic, and wellbeing courses tailored to individual needs.
- HSE Mental Health Services – Your local Health Service Executive provides community-based mental health services. You can start by speaking to your GP, who can refer you to a psychiatrist, psychologist, or counsellor if needed.
- Your Mental Health Information Line – If you’re unsure where to start, call Freephone 1800 111 888 or text 50808 to get information about services in your area.
How Can Counselling Help During the International Protection Process – or in Everyday Life?
I often get asked: “What actually happens in counselling? Will it really help me?”
Counselling is simply a safe space to talk. You meet with a trained professional, someone who isn’t there to judge you, advise you what to do, or report anything you say. They’re there to listen, to help you make sense of your experiences, and to support you in finding your own way forward.
For International Protection Applicants, counselling can help in several ways:
- Processing difficult experiences: Talking about what you’ve been through, at your own pace, can reduce the weight of those memories. You don’t have to share everything, and you’re always in control of what we discuss.
- Managing anxiety and uncertainty: The protection process can be long and stressful. Counselling offers tools to cope with the waiting, the interviews, and the not-knowing. Many people tell us they feel calmer and more grounded after just a few sessions.
- Building practical coping skills: Whether it’s learning to calm your nervous system, improving sleep, or handling difficult emotions, therapy equips you with strategies you can use every day.
- Reducing isolation: Many people feel alone in a new country. Having someone who truly listens, who creates space just for you, can make a real difference.
Our support groups at Turn2Me offer something counselling can’t: connection with others who understand. Hearing that you’re not the only one feeling this way can be incredibly powerful. People often arrive at their first group feeling nervous, and leave feeling lighter, more hopeful, and part of a community that has their back.
Is It Free and Confidential?
Absolutely, Free, No referral needed, No Waitlist!
At Turn2Me, our migrant support services are completely free. You don’t need a medical card, PPS number, or any documentation to access them. We removed those barriers deliberately, because we believe everyone deserves support.
Confidentiality is at the heart of what we do. What you share in counselling stays between you and your therapist. It will never be shared with immigration authorities, accommodation centres, or anyone else. The only exception, which applies to all mental health services everywhere, is if there’s an immediate risk of serious harm to you or someone else. However, even in that situation, your therapist would speak with you about it before taking any action.
Your safety and privacy are non-negotiable.
Taking That First Step
If you’ve read this far, something inside you is looking for support. Maybe you’ve been putting it off. Maybe you’ve told yourself that others have it worse, or that you should be able to handle things on your own. I hear this often, and I want to tell you what I tell everyone: reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. You’ve already survived so much. You deserve support.
At Turn2Me, we’ve walked alongside many people who felt exactly as you might feel right now, uncertain, exhausted, perhaps even sceptical that talking to someone could help. And time and time again, we’ve seen the difference it makes. Not overnight, but gradually, in ways that matter: sleeping a little better, feeling a little lighter, finding moments of hope again.
You don’t have to have the right words or know what you need. You just have to show up, and we’ll meet you there.
Ready to reach out? Visit turn2me.ie to learn more about our Migrant Support Services, or to book your first session. You can also join one of our weekly support groups, a warm, welcoming space where you’ll find people who understand.
We’re here for you. And we’d be honoured to walk alongside you. Turn2Me A lifeline, Online.