The National Mental Health Experience Survey is the first national survey asking people about their recent experiences of inpatient mental health care in Ireland.
The survey aims to learn from people’s experiences of inpatient mental health care and services in order to improve the care provided in these settings.
The National Care Experience Programme (NCEP) is running the survey. The NCEP is implementing the survey on behalf of the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commission and the Health Service Executive.
Thirty-five acute hospital or units to include public and private providers from across the six HSE health regions are participating in the National Mental Health Experience Survey. Click below to find out more.
The National Mental Health Experience Survey contains 66 questions that have been developed following a rigorous selection process. Click below to find out how the survey is developed and to view the questionnaire.
Read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or contact the survey team here.
If you or someone you know needs any additional support or information about mental health and wellbeing please see here.
If you need urgent help, please find details here.
People discharged from a participating mental health unit or hospital during the survey months (April to July 2026), aged 18 years or older, and with an address in the Republic of Ireland will be invited to participate.
Invitations will be sent to eligible participants by post in June, July, August, and September to take part in the survey.
The results are then analysed and the reports are prepared for publication in April 2027.
The responses from the survey will provide important information on the standard of services to help identify where improvements are necessary.
People discharged from a participating mental health unit or hospital during the survey months (April to July 2026), aged 18 years or older, and with an address in the Republic of Ireland will be invited to participate.
Invitations will be sent to eligible participants by post in June, July, August, and September to take part in the survey.
The results are then analysed and the reports are prepared for publication in April 2027.
The responses from the survey will provide important information on the standard of services to help identify where improvements are necessary.