Peer Advocacy in Mental Health

The Irish Advocacy Network Peer Advocacy Service for People with mental health Challenges has taken steps to respond to the current crisis.

Based on Government advice we will not be providing a face to face service at the moment.

If seeking advocacy support or have an enquiry about our service ring our national phonelines 

(01) 5470510 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.  Email will continue to be operational.

E: admin@irishadvocacynetwork.com

We are currently working on other technological solutions to providing our advocacy services remotely.

We will closely monitor the situation and provide updates on our website.

We urge all our clients and contacts to follow Government advice:-

  • wash your hands
  • minimise social contact

Further information on keeping yourself safe, symptoms and what to do if you think you have been infected by COVID-19 is provided by the HSE:

https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/

The HSE can answer questions on the virus through HSE Live:

1850241850

0416850300

Please be aware if you are having difficulty getting through to us or experiencing any delay in receiving a response it may be due to an increased demand for our advocacy services.  We urge you to be patient while we do our best to respond.

Privacy while accessing this site 

This site is used for information purposes only.  We do not collect data our monitor its use. 

  • We provide peer advocacy, support and information to people with mental health difficulties
  • We operate on an island-wide basis
  • We are an independent mental health organisation
  • Our staff have personal experience of mental health difficulties
  • We promote recovery and self-advocacy
  • We support people with mental health difficulties to speak up, speak out and take back and take control of their own lives
  • Our services are free and confidential
  • We operate a self-referral system

Vision statement

Working towards respect, recovery and equal citizenship for people with mental health difficulties

Values

  • Living examples of recovery
  • Recognition of each individual situation
  • Equality and citizenship
  • Independent voice
  • Peer-to-peer relationships
  • Collaborative
  • Listening
  • Non-judgmental
  • Reduction of stigma
  • Adaptive

News

It is with great pleasure and much pride that the Irish Advocacy Network announces that our CEO, Colette Nolan has been accepted as a member of the Specialist Group Panel of the National Implementation and Monitoring Committee (NIMC).  The NIMC is responsible for driving and overseeing the long-term implementation of the recommendations of the national mental health policy Sharing the Vision – A Mental Health Policy for Everybody. 

This position is confirmed with special appointment by Mary Butler TD, Minister for Mental Health and Older People.  As a peer-led organisation, we see this a great opportunity for people with mental health problems to be represented at the highest level, influencing and transforming mental health services bringing a hopeful message for the future of mental health in Ireland.  It also enables IAN to promote the role and positive impact of peer advocacy in mental health across the country.    

See drop down “About us” – “Background of the Irish Advocacy Network” to find out more about the status of advocacy in mental health in Ireland as presented in Sharing the Vision – A Mental Health Policy for Everybody, and the position taken by the Irish Advocacy Network. 

Letter of concern

Click on this link below to access a letter sent to the editor of the Irish Times on behalf of the Irish Advocacy Network.  This was in response to an article titled:

“Mental health supports being provided during pandemic by ‘well intentioned’ but untrained people” 

We question the intentions and consequences of the content therein.  Unfortunately, our letter was not published