Your Mental Health

We know that total wellbeing isn’t just about physical health but also proactive mental health. One in every four people will experience mental health problems during his/her lifetime.1 In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, we know that this figure may well rise as we all come to terms with our individual circumstances. It’s why we provide our members with a range of benefits to help really prioritise your mental health, whether it’s tips for how to stay well, options on how to assess your current situation or professional treatment options

Help me stay well​

Simple everyday supports for staying on top of your overall health

A significant part of managing our mental health is staying on top of both our physical and mental wellbeing in the first place and making it a priority in our everyday lives. We have a range of benefits to help you do just that

Help me stay well​

Benefits

If you’re feeling uncertain or anxious about your health for any reason, Nurse-on-Call is a telephone based service that provides general, non-diagnostic information over the phone. Under this benefit you have access to the nurse on call service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.


Speak to a nurse - 01 562 5150

As a member of Irish Life Health you have unlimited online & phone GP consultations provided by Medical Solutions UK Limited. You can speak to a GP anytime day or night over the phone, or if you would prefer a face-to-face consultation, the online video service is available 08:00 to 22:00, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), 08:00 to 20:00 on Saturdays and 10:00 to 18:00 on Sundays.


Speak to a GP - 01 562 5150

When it comes to mental health, what you eat can make a big difference. Research shows that a diet rich in foods like fruit, vegetables and seeds helps protect your mental health. As such making healthier food choices can improve both your physical and mental health and fitness.2 If you need to see a Dietician or Nutritionist you can get a contribution from us towards the cost of the consultation.

Though more traditionally associated with physical health, the benefits of exercise for our mental health really can’t be understated with studies showing a reduction in anxiety, depression and negative mood and improvements in self-esteem and cognitive function. This benefit gives you money back towards the cost of your annual subscription to your gym or sports club.

The mental health benefits of meditation include better focus and concentration, improved self-awareness and self-esteem, lower levels of stress and anxiety, and it also has benefits for your physical health.5 With this benefit you get money back on the cost of the annual subscription to Headspace or the cost of a mindfulness course listed on Qualifax.ie

Far from just being a treat to ourselves or a thoughtful gift, research suggests that massage treatment produces significant antidepressant effects and significantly reduces depressive symptoms.4 Your massage treatment benefit provides money back towards the cost of attending a massage therapist.

Knowing what we need to do to be healthier and actually doing it are two very different things. That’s where MyLife comes in. MyLife is our personalised health and wellbeing app that inspires people to lead a healthier life and improve their lifestyle, body and mind. Your personal AI coach can help you understand more about your health so you can easily identify ways to improve it through simple and regular goals and challenges. As well as feeling fitter and healthier, you’ll also receive rewards for your healthy behaviours from the likes of Amazon, FitBit and Nike. One of our most popular rewards is a 6 month subscription to the mindfulness app Stop, Breathe & Think.


Embrace a healthier you.


Download MyLife app

Make it easy to talk to somebody​

Qualified professionals on hand to listen and help in a way that suits you

Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you experience problems. Talking about your feelings isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s part of taking charge of your wellbeing and doing what you can to stay healthy. Here are some benefits that can help you with this.

Make it easy to talk to somebody​

Benefits

No matter how small or challenging the problem, the Healthy Minds benefit delivers all-round support with professionally trained counsellors on hand 24/7 to listen and give you considered and practical advice. Call 01 562 5150 or download the LifeWorks App and use ‘ILH-’ followed by your member number as your invitation code e.g. ILH-1234567


-Speak to a counsellor 24/7 via phone or webchat

If you need to speak to someone, qualified counsellors are on hand 24/7 to listen and give you considered and practical advice.


-Follow up sessions via face to face or video

If the counsellor on the phone/webchat deems it clinically appropriate, up to 6 face to face counselling sessions may be arranged.


If the counsellor recommends or you feel you need to see your GP, this benefit provides a contribution towards your visit.

Help me with treatment

Support for your treatment through a variety of benefits

Whether you’re looking to cope with a specific mental health problem, handle your emotions better, or simply to feel more positive and energetic, there are plenty of ways to take control of your mental health.

Help me with treatment

Benefits

- Research information from counsellor

If the counsellor recommends that your case is not suitable for short term counselling, he/she will follow up with some extra information to help you get the appropriate support for your case.


- Online Programmes

Access to a range of programmes designed to help with Anxiety, Depression, Stress and many more anytime, anywhere on your mobile or desktop. Choose your own path and learn your way with interactive content, exercises, podcasts, meditation and videos.


- Healthy Minds Counselling

If the counsellor on the phone/webchat deems it clinically appropriate, up to 6 face to face counselling sessions may be arranged.

 

If you experience a condition that is affecting your mental health and you are looking for a long term, clinical intervention solution there are benefits available to support you along the journey:

If you’ve contacted Healthy Minds and your case is not deemed clinically appropriate for short term counselling or if your GP recommends or you feel the need to attend a psychotherapist you can get money back on the cost of the consultations.

You can claim back some of the costs for attending the Dean Clinic St Patrick’s Mental Health Services.

If you’ve contacted Healthy Minds and your case is not deemed clinically appropriate for short term counselling or if your GP recommends or you feel the need to attend a clinical psychotherapist you can get money back on the cost of the consultations.

If your GP or clinician recommends any medication as part of your treatment, this benefit provides money back on prescriptions.

Your plan will include psychiatric treatment benefits. These benefits specify the maximum number of days for which you can claim your In-patient Benefits whilst you are a psychiatric patient for medically necessary treatment.

Your plan will include psychiatric treatment benefits. These benefits specify the maximum number of days for which you can claim your In-patient Benefits whilst you are a psychiatric patient for medically necessary treatment.

You can claim a contribution towards the psychiatric consultation.

There is evidence that occupational therapy interventions improve outcomes for those living in the community with serious mental illness. Such interventions can be found in the areas of education, work, skills training, health and wellness, and cognitive remediation and adaptation.6 With this benefit you can claim a contribution towards the costs of attending an occupational therapist. Please note however that this benefit does not cover the cost of any medication or any surgical appliances supplied or prescribed by the practitioners.

We offer mental health support including pre and post-natal depression counselling should you need it. Under this benefit we will contribute towards the cost of counselling sessions provided by Nurture for antenatal and postnatal depression, fertility issues and miscarriage support.

The experienced Doulas will help you with the transition to parenthood, giving you guidance on your newborn’s needs - from sleeping and feeding to changing and soothing, empowering you to thrive as a parent. Under this benefit we will cover the cost of postnatal support in your home provided by Doula Care Ireland after your baby is born.

Help me find out more​

A variety of options to better understand how you might be feeling

It’s not always easy to describe how you’re feeling and sometimes you might want to explore more information before talking to somebody. The Healthy Minds benefit delivers all-round support with professionally trained counsellors on hand 24/7 to listen and give you considered and practical advice. Download the LifeWorks App and use ‘ILH-’ followed by your member number as your invitation code e.g. ILH-1234567 to avail of support.

Download LifeWorks App
Help me find out more​

Benefits

Why not take an assessment to help you understand your mental health and wellbeing a little more? These assessments across categories like relationships, work-life balance or even financial health will help you identify any areas that are a risk for you and provide you with simple lifestyle changes that you can make to positively impact your mental wellbeing.

Some people have a good understanding of their issue and simply want tools and resources to help stay on top of it. Our Toolkits provide focused advice and practical steps on a variety of wellbeing topics from the world leading experts.

For an even more in depth and structured programme, our CareNow tool provides access to a range of guided programmes designed to help with Anxiety, Depression, Stress and many more. Complete the programmes at your own pace and learn your way with interactive content, exercises, podcasts, meditation and videos.

-Benefits available on selected plans.
-Please check your level of cover.
-Some benefits must be carried out by registered practitioners – see your Membership Handbook for relevant bodies. Some terms & conditions may also apply; please refer to your membership handbook.
-If the counsellor on the phone/webchat deems it clinically appropriate, up to 6 face to face counselling sessions may be arranged.
-Please see your Table of Cover and List of Medical Facilities to check your level of cover and the facilities you may be covered in