More people are seeking help for mental health issues than ever before.

The CEO of St. Patrick's Hospital in Dublin Paul Gilligan made the comment in the light of new figures.

They show an increase in the number of people calling the help and information line of the hospital.

There were significant increases last year in the numbers of people with queries related to depression, eating disorders and support for life crises.

More people coming forward

The helpline is run by staff at the Hospital and received more calls than ever before.

The figure comes just over a week after it was revealed more than 2,000 children and young people are on waiting lists for appointments in the Irish mental health system.

The head of the Health Service Executive (HSE) department in the area is warning there is a limit to how far he 'can stretch it before it snaps'.

In an Irish Times interview Martin Rogan said mental health services of young people are coming under increasing strain.

However he said they are heading in the right direction - with extra staff being drafted in and resources being reworked to cover areas that need it.

Tom Maher is Director of services at St. Patrick's.

He says they helped callers turn their lives around at least 5-times a day last year.

He believes it is a good sign that more people are coming forward.

Image: St. Patrick's Hospital