Steady

Crisis & escalation · Ireland

If today is hard, this page is for you.

Steady is coaching, not crisis care. This page lists the Irish supports you can call, text or visit right now — plus how to know which one. You don't need to be in mortal danger to use them. You just need to need a bit more than a tools app.

Free Irish support lines

Numbers worth keeping.

All lines below are based in Ireland (or covering Ireland), confidential, and free to call. You do not need a referral, a diagnosis, or a reason that sounds 'serious enough'.

Red flags · today

If any of these apply right now, please don't wait.

These are situations where coaching, productivity tools, or self-help apps are the wrong shape of help. Call a line, contact your GP, or attend A&E.

  • Thoughts of suicide or self-harm

    Even fleeting. Even if you 'wouldn't really do it'. The line is the same: pick up the phone.

  • A specific plan or means

    Thinking about how, when, or where. Owning means (medication stockpile, etc.). This is an emergency — call 112/999 or go to A&E.

  • Severe distress that will not settle

    Crying that won't stop, shaking, dissociation, or panic that has lasted hours and is not easing.

  • Mania-like symptoms

    Little need for sleep for several days, racing thoughts, very rapid speech, grand plans, risky spending, sexual or driving behaviour.

  • Hearing or seeing things others don't

    New voices, visions, or strong paranoia — especially if frightening or commanding.

  • Dangerous substance use

    Using more than intended, mixing substances, blackouts, using to cope with thoughts of self-harm.

  • Feeling unsafe with another person

    Domestic abuse, coercive control, threats. Women's Aid: 1800 341 900. Men's Aid: 01 554 3811.

  • Severe sleep loss

    Less than four hours of sleep for several nights running, especially with mood changes — this needs same-week GP attention.

What to do next

A simple triage, in plain language.

ADHD brains do not love decision trees. We'll keep this one short.

  1. 1

    If this is you

    I'm thinking about ending my life, or someone I'm with is.

    What to do

    Call 112 or 999 now. If safer, call Samaritans on 116 123 or Pieta House on 1800 247 247. Stay on the line.

  2. 2

    If this is you

    I'm in severe distress that won't settle, but I'm physically safe.

    What to do

    Call Samaritans (116 123), or Text HELLO to 50808. Both are 24/7 and free.

  3. 3

    If this is you

    I have any red-flag symptom from the list above (mania, hallucinations, dangerous substance use, severe sleep loss).

    What to do

    Contact your GP today — request an urgent appointment. Out of hours, call your local Caredoc / D-Doc / NowDoc service or attend A&E.

  4. 4

    If this is you

    I'm not in crisis, but coaching alone isn't enough anymore.

    What to do

    Book a routine GP appointment this week. Bring our GP-prep checklist. Ask about referrals, therapy, or assessment.

  5. 5

    If this is you

    I'm worried about someone else.

    What to do

    Call Samaritans (116 123) or Aware (1800 80 48 48) for guidance. If they're in immediate danger, call 112/999 or take them to A&E.

See your GP this week

Not an emergency, but not nothing.

These don't need an ambulance. They do need a GP — usually within the next few days. Coaching cannot, and should not, replace that conversation.

  • Persistent low mood, hopelessness, or loss of interest for two weeks or more.
  • Anxiety or panic that stops you working, studying, eating or leaving the house.
  • Big shifts in appetite, weight or sleep that aren't explained by something else.
  • Increasing reliance on alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, or unprescribed medication.
  • ADHD-related impact on finances, relationships or work that coaching alone isn't shifting.
  • Side effects from ADHD medication that are interfering with daily life.

Specialist services

For specific situations.

  • Women's Aid

    Domestic abuse — 24/7.

    1800 341 900

  • Men's Aid Ireland

    Domestic abuse support for men.

    01 554 3811

  • Rape Crisis Network

    Sexual violence — 24/7 freephone.

    1800 778 888

  • HSE Drug & Alcohol Helpline

    Confidential support, Mon–Fri 9.30am–5.30pm.

    1800 459 459

  • LGBT Ireland

    Helpline for LGBTQ+ people, families, friends.

    1800 929 539

  • ADHD Ireland

    Peer support, training and information line.

    01 874 8349

Frequently asked

Is Steady a crisis service?

No. Steady is coaching and education for adult ADHD. We do not provide crisis support, medical care, or 24/7 monitoring. If you are in distress or thinking about self-harm or suicide, contact your GP, attend A&E, or call Samaritans Ireland on 116 123 (free, 24/7) or Pieta House on 1800 247 247. In an emergency, call 112 or 999.

Can I use the AI companion in a crisis?

No. The AI companion is built for everyday coaching — planning, reframing, getting unstuck. It is not a clinician, not a counsellor, and cannot keep you safe. If you are in crisis, please use a phone or text line staffed by trained humans (numbers above).

What counts as a crisis?

Anything that feels too big to hold alone — including thoughts of suicide or self-harm, plans to act on them, severe distress that won't settle, mania-like symptoms, dangerous substance use, or feeling unsafe with another person. You don't need to meet a clinical threshold to call. The lines below exist for exactly this.

What if I'm worried about someone else?

You can call Samaritans (116 123) yourself for guidance on how to support them, or call Aware (1800 80 48 48) for advice. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 112 or 999, or take them to A&E. Stay with them where it is safe to do so.

Will using a crisis line affect my job, immigration status or insurance?

Calls to Samaritans, Pieta House, Text 50808 and the HSE YourMentalHealth line are confidential. Records are not shared with employers, insurers, or immigration services. If you have specific concerns, you can ask the line worker about confidentiality at the start of the call.

One more thing

You don't have to earn the right to call.

People often wait until things are 'bad enough'. The lines on this page are specifically for the moment before bad enough. If today is hard, that is reason enough.

Coaching has its place. See when to seek medical help for the longer version, or the full resources page.