Helplines NI marked its ninth annual Awareness Day on 30th April 2025 at Girdwood Community Hub, drawing over 150 attendees from across Northern Ireland. The event brought together helpline staff, community leaders, mental health advocates, and some of those who have benefited from the services to shine a spotlight on the critical work of helpline organisations.

Over 300,000 people turned to helpline services across Northern Ireland in 2024 alone - a stark figure that underlines the scale of emotional, financial, and mental health needs in communities today. Yet many helpline services remain drastically underfunded and their fate uncertain. 


Helplines NI, funded by the Public Health Agency, is a network of 46 organisations working collaboratively to ensure people in crisis can quickly and efficiently access the support they need. Through careful signposting, member helplines reduce wait times, offer person-centred guidance, and improve outcomes for those in need. The network continues to grow, reflecting the increasing demand and trust placed in these vital services.
 

Kris Morrison, Co-Chair of Helplines NI and Family Support Manager at Autism NI, said "Every day, dedicated teams of staff and volunteers across Northern Ireland ensure that no one has to face their challenges alone. Their work is invaluable, yet too often overlooked and we must do more to safeguard their future.

At Autism NI, our Helpline Service is a source of guidance and reassurance for autistic individuals and their families. With over 7,500 direct contacts in 2023/24 alone, we continue to see the real and growing need for accessible, compassionate support. Whether it’s pre- or post-diagnosis advice or connecting families with vital resources and providing a listening ear, these services make a difference."

Autism NI's Helpline is the first point of contact for many autistic people, families, and professionals, using this service to seek access to other services, resources, advice, and information on a wide range of issues related to autism, pre and post diagnosis. The volume of enquiries we are dealing with indicates the real need that exists to inform, assist, and support autistic people and their families.  

To get support please visit, https://autismni.org/ or visit, https://helplinesni.com/