According to the Health Service Executive (HSE), complete national data tracking the total number of individuals presenting to hospital emergency departments in a mental health crisis is currently unavailable, as the health service only systematically records presentations involving self-harm and suicide-related ideation. Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane revealed the data gap following a parliamentary question, highlighting what he described as a significant blind spot in measuring emergency psychiatric care across the health system.
HSE Mental Health Crisis Data Limitations
The HSE confirmed in parliamentary replies that its dataset strictly covers accident and emergency department visits tied specifically to self-harm and suicide-related ideation. According to the HSE, other acute mental health presentations—including panic attacks, psychosis, and postpartum depression—are not captured within this specific metric and cannot be extrapolated from existing figures.
Data provided to Cullinane shows that 19,177 presentations involving self-harm or suicide ideation were recorded across 24/7 emergency departments in 2024. Of those total visits, the HSE reported that 2,779 patients were subsequently admitted to an approved mental health centre. Meanwhile, 14,522 individuals received referrals to other specialized healthcare services following their initial hospital assessment.
Emergency Department Dropouts and Out-of-Hours Delays
The figures also highlighted patient attrition within acute hospital settings. According to the HSE, 1,583 people who presented with suicide-related ideation left emergency departments before clinicians could complete an assessment or issue formal care recommendations.
Cullinane criticized the high departure rate, arguing that the lack of comprehensive tracking prevents the government from accurately assessing hospital pressures or determining whether vulnerable patients secure proper treatment. This dynamic aligns with findings published last year by the Mental Health Commission, which warned that patients face substantial delays and must compete for attention in overcrowded emergency spaces, particularly during out-of-hours shifts where psychiatric assessments often lag.
New Specialist Nursing Teams Deployed to Hospitals
To combat emergency department congestion and delays, Mental Health Minister Mary Butler announced the rollout of 10 specialist mental health nursing teams designed to bolster out-of-hours crisis support. These units comprise Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) tasked with delivering targeted interventions for patients arriving in acute psychiatric distress.
Under the expansion plan, each of the following ten hospital sites will receive a dedicated four-person team:
- Tallaght University Hospital
- St James’s Hospital
- Mater Hospital
- Beaumont Hospital
- St Vincent’s University Hospital
- Waterford University Hospital
- University Hospital Limerick
- Cork University Hospital
- Mercy University Hospital
- University Hospital Galway
Frequently Asked Questions
What mental health crisis data does the HSE collect?
According to the HSE, the agency only collects and publishes data regarding hospital emergency department presentations involving self-harm and suicide-related ideation, leaving other acute mental health emergencies unmeasured in national datasets.
How many self-harm and suicide-related presentations occurred in 2024?
The HSE recorded 19,177 emergency department presentations involving self-harm or suicide ideation throughout 2024, resulting in 2,779 admissions to approved mental health centers and 14,522 service referrals.
What support services are available for people in crisis?
Individuals in immediate distress can contact Pieta House at 1800 247 247, the Samaritans at 116 123, Aware at 1800 80 48 48, Teen-Line Ireland at 1800 833 634, or Childline at 1800 66 66 66.
Keep reading