The National Ambulance Service has launched a new national phone line to connect people with mental health supports and services.

The ‘Your Mental Health’ phone-line is completely confidential and open 24 hours a day.

The service has received 400 calls since it started operating on a phased basis in October.

National Ambulance Service (NAS) Director Martin Dunne said anyone who calls in is connected with a trained NAS call-taker.

“We are probably the only service in the country that is 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year,” he said.

“Regardless of whether it is Christmas Day, whether it is New Years Eve or New Year’s Day we are on full duty with a full complement of staff.

“The lines are manned all the time.”

Callers will be linked up with services available nationally and in their area.

The Taoiseach and Health Minister were on hand for official launch of the service this morning.

Leo Varadkar said the budget for mental health services is rising to just over €1bn next year.

“We have over 1,000 different mental health services around the country but it is often the case that they are not well joined up.

“This new phone-line will allow people to access the service they need, when they need it.”

Calls to the new line are strictly confidential and callers are not asked for personal information.

The dedicated phone number is 1800 111 888.