Questionnaire development

The National Mental Health Experience Survey Questionnaire

The 2026 National Mental Health Experience Survey includes a total of 66 questions. 62 of these are structured, tick-box questions and four are open-ended (free-flow) questions. The survey covers many topics such as admission, your care and treatment, interactions with staff, family friends and carers, and discharge planning and follow-up care. Click on the buttons below to view the questionnaire that eligible participants will receive by post.

Survey Questionnaire PDF – Irish version

Survey Questionnaire PFD – English version

The steps undertaken to develop the 2026 National Mental Health Experience Survey questionnaire included:

An international review of mental health experiences surveys was carried out to identify and analyse international best practice with regard to the models and methodologies employed to deliver a national survey of the experiences of those who have received mental health care.
Focus groups gathered insights and perspectives from stakeholders including services users and providers to identify important question areas.
A gap analysis further identified questions that are relevant to the Irish context of mental health care.
A list of 106 questions was assembled from the previous steps, of which a Delphi Study identified 73 priority questions.
Picker Institute Europe checked the measurement and analytical quality of the questions.
Further review by experts, for example, the Department of Health, Mental Health Commission, HSE and the National Mental Health Experience Survey Advisory Group further prioritised questions.
Six cognitive interviews took place with a sample of patients who have used mental health services to assess the clarity and appropriateness of the proposed National Mental Health Experience Survey questionnaire.