Last Updated on May 6, 2025
Grief can be overwhelming—but your health insurance counselling support might already be in place. Many people in Ireland don’t realise their private health insurance includes mental health services like counselling. If you’re coping with bereavement, that support could be more accessible than you think.
What Health Insurance Counselling Support Can Include
Support can come in the form of phone, video, or in-person sessions. Depending on your insurer, your plan may include up to six or even twelve counselling sessions each year. Some policies also reimburse a portion of the cost for sessions with a qualified therapist or counsellor.
Irish Life Health, Vhi Healthcare, and Laya Healthcare all include some level of mental health support in their plans. The names of these programmes vary, but the goal is the same: to give you access to qualified, confidential help when you need it most. Counselling is usually provided through external mental health platforms, and you can often access support by phone, online, or in person.
How Counselling Support Helps After Bereavement
Losing someone you love changes everything. During those early weeks and months, many people need help processing their grief. Private counselling can be expensive and hard to arrange at short notice. But if your insurance already includes support, you may be able to talk to a counsellor without extra cost or delay.
You might not feel ready to open up to friends or family. Speaking to someone neutral—someone trained to help—can make all the difference. Even a few sessions can provide relief, perspective, or simply the space to feel what you need to feel.
Family Members May Be Covered Too
If your children are listed on your plan, they may also be entitled to counselling sessions. Teenagers and young adults can struggle in different ways after a loss. Many health insurance policies include mental health support for dependants, but this is often overlooked. It’s worth checking your policy to see if family members are eligible.
Check Your Health Insurance for Counselling Support
Every policy is different. Log in to your provider’s online portal or contact their customer support team. You can also ask your GP for help accessing services. Even if you’ve never used your mental health benefits before, they might be there waiting—quietly included in your cover.
You don’t have to carry grief alone. Take a few minutes to check what’s already available to you. It might be the first step in getting the support you need.
