Mental health
2,000 extra appointments have been scheduled with the HSE's mental health services so far this year compared to the same time last year.
New figures show around 103,276 people took up a face to face, online or phone consultation between January and June 2019.
That's increased to 105,403 for the same period this year.
Stella O’Malley, psychotherapist and author of Fragile, said 2020 has been a 'weird year'.
She observed: "I think there might have been a bigger jump if people had access to face-to-face mental health services."
"I'd say people will turn to counselling this year maybe that never had to before... and maybe people are relapsing who perfectly fine."
If you need support Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or here.
