Minister launches new Digital Mental Health Strategy
Publication marks the first standalone national strategy dedicated exclusively to digital mental health
Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler has launched the Sharing the Vision Digital Mental Health Strategy 2026–2030 at the third annual Digital Mental Health Conference.
Held in partnership with the University of Limerick this week, the publication marks the first standalone national strategy dedicated exclusively to digital mental health and represents a significant milestone in the modernisation of mental health supports and services across Ireland.
Aligned with the Department of Health’s Digital for Care 2030 Framework, the Strategy builds on almost a decade of work by the Health Service Executive in developing digital mental health initiatives. It also delivers on commitments outlined in Sharing the Vision, Ireland’s national mental health policy, and reflects the ambition for a modern, integrated health service set out under Sláintecare.
The Strategy provides a structured roadmap to digitally transform mental health services and improve patient access nationwide. It is designed to guide implementation through to 2030, the lifespan of the Sharing the Vision policy, and aims to embed digital innovation across the full spectrum of mental health provision- from promotion and early intervention to primary care, suicide prevention, crisis response, and specialist and acute services.
Launching the Strategy, Minister Butler said: "This Strategy sets out a clear vision: to harness and scale the use of digital technologies to provide safe, effective and accessible mental health information, tools and services. It represents a significant step forward in how we deliver mental health services in Ireland. By embracing digital innovation, we can expand accessibility and increase reach so that more people can access the supports they need. This is about building a more connected, responsive and inclusive mental health service.”
Speaking at the event, the Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to delivering on the Strategy’s objectives through sustained investment in digital tools and supports. As part of Budget 2026, she secured €1 million to begin implementation, bringing total investment in digital service- including online cognitive behavioural therapy and text-based supports- to more than €7 million.
The Strategy is founded on the principle that digital technology can unlock new opportunities to enhance service delivery and improve mental health outcomes across the lifespan.