GENERAL FAQs
HOW DOES TEXT ABOUT IT WORK?
Click here for a step-by-step guide https://textaboutit.ie/how-it-works
WHO OPERATES 50808?
Text About It is operated by spunout, a registered charity in Ireland. spunout is governed by an independent Board of Directors. Our Charity Registration Number from the Charities Regulator is 20057923. Our Companies Registration Office number is 384783 and our CHY Number from Revenue is 16212.
WHO FUNDS TEXT ABOUT IT?
50808 is funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE) through an annual Section 39 grant.
WHO ARE OUR VOLUNTEERS?
Our volunteers are dedicated, trained, supervised volunteers from around Ireland. Volunteers go through a rigorous, multi-stage application and training process. They are supervised at all times by trained professionals who have a relevant Master’s degree or equivalent crisis intervention experience.
IS TEXT ABOUT IT ANONYMOUS?
Yes - and we take your anonymity seriously. Volunteers only know what texters share with them, and that information stays between you, unless sharing it with emergency services is absolutely necessary for your safety. At the moment, texting with us will appear on your phone bill/usage history. We're currently working with the telecom companies to ensure it will not appear. We will update this section when this is confirmed. If you text with us through WhatsApp we cannot see your profile image, name or phone number.
HOW MUCH DOES TEXT ABOUT IT COST?
Text About It is completely free. Our 50808 number is designated as free-to-text by ComReg, the regulator for the telecommunications industry. There is also no financial cost to using the service through WhatsApp. If you experience any billing issues with your phone network when using the 50808 service please contact your network directly, and also let us know by emailing networksupport@spunout.ie so we can follow up with them.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I EXPERIENCE ANY TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES?
Text About It has been tested and confirmed to work on WhatsApp and all major networks (Eir, Three, Vodafone, GoMo, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Media). Text About It may not work on some smaller carrier networks such as An Post and 48. If the short code does not work on your network (An Post/48), you can still use the service by texting HELLO to 0861800280. Standard network message rates may apply to the use of the 086 number. If you’re experiencing connectivity issues with WhatsApp, please check your coverage or WiFi connection, or check any issues with WhatsApp downtime as an app generally.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A TEXTER IS IN IMMINENT RISK OF SUICIDE?
If we believe a texter is in immediate danger of suicide, our first step is to try to work with the texter to form a safety plan. If the texter is unable to plan for their own safety, we may contact emergency services, who may call a texter for a welfare check or dispatch somebody to check on the texter’s safety. We determine if a texter is in immediate danger of suicide through a risk assessment carried out by the trained volunteer and qualified supervisor on duty.
CAN SOMEONE USE THE SERVICE REGULARLY?
Very frequent use of Text About It may require us to reduce access to one conversation every 48 hours. This is because Text About It is not a substitute for long-term clinical mental health care or support. Our goal is to provide immediate support in the short term and, if needed, to help connect texters with more appropriate sources of longer-term support.