A new text-based service being launched today aims to provide young people with easy access to a range of helplines and support services.
Provided by Rehab, the free 24-hour service can be accessed by texting the word "Headsup" to 50424.
Rehab says the service is the first of its kind in Ireland, is fully automated and provides information on a confidential basis. Among the areas covered are relationships, suicide, teen issues, sexual health and mental health.
The launch of the new service today, which is aimed at 16- to 24- year-olds, takes place as thousands of young people around the country anxiously await their Leaving Certificate results, due on Wednesday. The times immediately before and after the release of exam results can be stressful for many students.
The Headsup service has been developed by the Rehab Group, a not-for-profit organisation working for social and economic inclusion among people with disabilities and others who are marginalised.
The group provides services for 60,000 people across 200 centres in Ireland and Britain.
