Mental health services for young people

Youth mental health is the focus of a number of agencies and services. Some of these are outlined below and links are provided to others.

Health Services Executive (HSE)

The statutory mental health services for young people in Ireland are provided by the HSE through its network of local clinics and services. The first port of call is usually the GP who will make an initial assessment of a young person’s state of health and will provide treatment or refer them to local community psychology or mental health services. If they are under 18 years they may be referred to a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and if 18 or over to an adult psychiatric service. See for a full account of the HSE services available in your area.

Headstrong

Headstrong does not provide mental health and wellbeing services to young people directly but rather works with those who do – including Government, youth and health services, philanthropy organisations, academic institutions, community leaders, NGOs and young people themselves. It seeks to achieve its mission by building community understanding and confidence about youth mental health issues and by assisting communities to provide better support to young people who are going through tough times.

Headstrong is associated with a network of Jigsaw programmes across the country. Their function is to improve the delivery and linking of local mental health services for young people aged 12 to 25 years. There are Jigsaw projects in ten communities at present: Clondalkin, Donegal, Dublin 15, Galway, Kerry, Meath, North Fingal, Offaly, Roscommon and Tallaght.

Details about the Jigsaw projects and a wide range of information and resources are available from Headstrong’s website

DETECT

DETECT is a pilot early intervention for psychosis service operating in South County Dublin and Wicklow. At the moment it provides a service for individuals experiencing first episode psychosis and their families living in the catchment areas of CluainMhuire, Elm Mount, Newcastle and St John of God Hospital services.

Recognising and treating medical conditions early makes as much sense for mental health conditions as it does for physical illnesses. Recognising psychosis early is important in devising specialised treatment packages to support individuals and maximise their recovery.

More information about DETECT can be found on its website

Some other services offering support in the area of mental health

  • Aware ( - Helping to defeat depression
  • Bodywhys ( - The Eating Disorders Association Of Ireland
  • GROW ( - Helping people to help themselves
  • Mental Health Ireland ( - Supporting positive mental health
  • Samaritans ( - 24 hours a day, confidential emotional support
  • Schizophrenia Ireland ( - The Lucia Foundation
  • Spun-Out ( – Irish youth health, media, information and activism

Some organisations that can provide useful additional information relevant to youth mental health in Ireland

  • 3Ts
  • Central Statistics Office Ireland
  • Department of Health & Children
  • Foroige
  • Health Promotion Ireland
  • Health Service Executive
  • Irish Mental Health Coalition
  • Mental Health Commission
  • National Youth Council of Ireland

List of resources for promoting mental health