The HSE has announced a new expanded partnership with Togetherall to provide free, online, peer-to-peer mental health support for young people aged 16 to 30 across Ireland.

Launched by Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler, the initiative builds on Togetherall’s work with third-level students in Ireland, which is supported by the HSE. It aims to widen access to mental health support for young people who may not otherwise engage with traditional services.

Togetherall is a clinically moderated, anonymous online community that offers a safe, non-judgmental space for people to share experiences, connect with others, and access immediate support for mental health challenges. Founded in 2007, the international service operates day and night, providing this safe space to people experiencing issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness and isolation.

Speaking at the launch of the new service, Minister Mary Butler, TD, said: “I am very pleased to launch this expansion of the Togetherall mental health support community. As part of an initial phase with the HSE, Togetherall will support more than 2,000 young people across Ireland this year, creating an inclusive digital community that complements existing mental health services. I want young people to have access to the support and community that can help them thrive and I believe Togetherall will be an important source of that support.”

Derek Chambers, Policy Implementation Lead, HSE Mental Health, said: “This partnership builds on Togetherall’s already established presence in higher education settings in Ireland. Since 2022, the HSE has been supporting Togetherall to provide the service to students in 13 higher education institutions across Ireland. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with 87% of Irish students using Togetherall reporting that they found it helpful or very helpful for their mental health. Globally, Togetherall supports more than 20 million people across the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and North America, and we are delighted to expand this service to more young people here.”

Togetherall provides a range of supports designed to meet people where they are.

A safe, anonymous online peer-to-peer community allows members to give and receive support. Users can share thoughts and feelings through text or digital art. They can also participate in chat groups or join role-based subgroups such as parents and caregivers, healthcare workers, and others facing shared challenges. 

The platform is moderated around the clock by registered mental health professionals. All content is reviewed using a combination of clinical expertise and technology to ensure safety. While Togetherall is not a crisis service, it actively manages situations where users may be at imminent or elevated mental health risk.

Members can also access a range of text-based, self-directed courses focused on building coping skills and confidence. Courses can be completed individually or as part of a group, allowing members to progress together and support one another.

Togetherall includes links to local mental health services, clinically validated self-assessments, a private journaling tool, and a wide range of mental health articles and resources.

Matthew McEvoy, CEO of Togetherall, said: “We’re proud to expand Togetherall’s digital peer-to-peer mental health support across Ireland, especially for young people who would welcome a safe, low-barrier space to connect and support one another. Young people aged 16-30 in Ireland can now access 24/7 support, including those who are not likely to seek or use traditional mental health methods. This expansion is about empowering individuals to take that next step toward wellbeing, on their own terms and in their own time, while knowing they’re never alone in what they’re going through.”

Togetherall is designed to increase access for people who are not already engaged in mental health services. According to the company, in Ireland, 83 per cent of students using Togetherall are not accessing on-campus supports and, on average, 65 per cent of activity on the platform takes place outside normal service hours.

Togetherall said the platform also reaches people from diverse and underrepresented groups who may face barriers to accessing traditional supports, including people living alone, single parents, individuals with disabilities, those unemployed or unable to work due to illness, and people from non-White or gender non-conforming backgrounds.