Jigsaw
Search Jigsaw

Volunteer and Help Shape Mental Health Services

Have you used mental health services? Or supported a child or young person who has?  

The HSE and Jigsaw are recruiting for two separate national advisory panels:  

  1. Child & Youth Mental Health Advisory Panel: For young people under 18 who have used mental health services themselves or have a close family member who has.
  1. Parent & Carer Advisory Panel: For parents and carers of children and young people with experience of mental health services.  

Both panels will work with the HSE Child and Youth Mental Health Office to share ideas, influence decisions and help improve mental health services for children and young people across Ireland. 

What will I do?  

As a panel member, you may:  

Take part in workshops and discussions
Share your ideas and experiences of mental health services
Review information, policies and resources
Help improve mental health services
 Work alongside other panel members, Jigsaw and HSE staff to shape future services. 

What is involved?

Panel members will be asked to:  

Commit to being part of the panel until December 2027
Attend regular meetings from September 2026 to December 2027
Join meetings online and attend some in-person meetings in Dublin
 Take part in optional workshops and project work throughout the programme.  

Travel expenses for in-person meetings will be covered, and you’ll receive ongoing support from Jigsaw and HSE staff throughout your time on the panel.

Why join?

✔ Have your voice heard
✔ Help improve mental health services on a national level
✔ Meet others with similar experiences
✔ Learn new skills and build confidence
✔ Make a real difference for children, young people and families across Ireland   

Find out more

Read our Child and Youth Panel Information Leaflet

Read our Parent and Carer Panel Information Leaflet


Ready to get involved? 
 

Applications are now open and will close at 5pm on 7 September 2026.  

Apply today! 

Join our Child and Youth Panel Application

Join our Parent and Carer Panel Application 

Why I Run: A Teacher’s Story

Sadbh is a teacher who sees firsthand the difference Jigsaw makes in young people’s lives.

What started as a COVID lockdown hobby has grown into something much more meaningful — a way to give back to the service that helps her students find their voice.

In this interview, Sadbh shares why she runs the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon for Jigsaw, what race day feels like, and why investing in young people’s mental health matters so much to her. From the magic of 30,000 women taking to Dublin’s streets together, to the small moments when a student regains their confidence — Sadbh’s passion for this cause shines through every word.

Whether you’re a seasoned runner or someone who’s never laced up a pair of trainers, Sadbh’s story might just inspire you to sign up. Because as she puts it: “Doing the Women’s Mini Marathon in aid of Jigsaw is an incredible experience because you know you are making a difference in young people’s lives.”

Watch Sadbh’s full interview below.

Loneliness and isolation

We are social creatures and need to feel we belong.

Being lonely is like being hungry or thirsty. It’s our bodies telling us we’re not getting the basic human need of social interaction. We’ve had a strange few years, and physical interaction can still relatively difficult and unfamiliar to us.

To help during this time this article covers:

The importance of rallying around young people

If you spend any time on Jigsaw.ie or our social channels, you’ll see plenty of references to One Good Adult.

One Good Adult

One Good Adult (OGA) refers to an adult who a young person can turn to if they are in need of support. The theme of One Good Adult emerged from the My World Survey, a national study of youth mental health. OGAs support young people in their life by listening to them, giving them time and space to open up and not judging them.

Back To Top