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Celebrity Chef Mark Moriarty announced as M&S and Jigsaw Partnership Ambassador

Posted on by Ian Carey

Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, is delighted to welcome award-winning chef Mark Moriarty as ambassador for our ongoing partnership with Marks & Spencer Ireland.

Since 2022, M&S and Jigsaw have worked together to raise awareness and vital funds to support young people’s mental health across Ireland. So far, this partnership has raised over €150,000, helping us continue our mission to provide trusted mental health support and services to 1.5 million young people and their families by 2026.

A shared commitment to young people

Mark joins the partnership with a deep personal connection to mental health.
“I grew up in a family of mental health professionals,” he explains. “That meant we talked about wellbeing at home before it became a wider public conversation. I’ve always understood how important it is to talk, to listen, and to support one another.”

As ambassador, Mark hopes to use his platform to encourage more open conversations about mental health.
“Young people today face incredible pressures — from social media to inequality to a lack of support structures. Every single person will experience challenges in their life, and communication is key to getting through them. That’s where organisations like Jigsaw make a real difference.”

The power of communication

Mark says he was drawn to Jigsaw because of its practical, approachable way of supporting young people.
“For some, support can be as simple as having somebody listen to you. That’s what I love about Jigsaw’s work — whether it’s one-to-one chats, workshops, or mentoring, it’s about real connection, not perfection.”

Working together for change

Eddie Murphy, M&S Country Director Ireland and Northern Ireland said: “Our commitment to Jigsaw and the wellbeing of Ireland’s young people is unwavering, and we’re incredibly proud of the difference we’re making together,” 

For Jigsaw, the partnership with M&S continues to be an important part of building collective support for young people’s mental health.
“Having someone like Mark involved brings energy and understanding to the conversation,” says Mike Mansfield, Jigsaw’s Director of Communications and Fundraising. “We know young people’s mental health continues to face huge pressures. Addressing that requires collective effort — from individuals, communities, and organisations. This partnership is one example of that effort in action.”

Talking About It: Young People in Meath Lead the Conversation on Mental Health

Posted on by Ian Carey

More than 50 young people from across County Meath came together this month for a special event called Talk About It — a day all about sharing ideas, experiences, and hopes for better youth mental health support.

Students and youth representatives from Kells Youthreach, Involve Meath, Dunboyne College, Cultúr Migrant Centre, and post-primary schools including Beaufort College, St. Patrick’s Classical, Mercy Secondary, and Boyne Community School took part. They were joined by more than 50 representatives from local organisations like CYPSC, TUSLA, HSE, LMETB, Youth Work Ireland, An Garda Síochána, Cultúr Migrant Centre, Springboard, Involve, Family Resource Centres, and others.

Taking place just a week before World Mental Health Day (October 10th), the event created a rare space where young people could speak directly with decision-makers and service providers about what’s really going on in their lives. It was a day of honest conversations, creative thinking, and powerful connection.

One young person summed it up simply:

“I felt heard.”

Another said:

“I was nervous at first, but they’re just real people like us. We had good chats and fun too.”

What young people are saying

The event, run by Jigsaw Meath in partnership with Comhairle na nÓg Meath, also shared findings from Jigsaw’s Amplify & Advocacy survey — research designed to understand what life is really like for young people in the county.

Some of the key insights included:

  • Many young people still don’t know what mental health services and supports are available locally.
  • Stigma — both internal (feeling embarrassed) and external (fear of being judged) — remains a major barrier to reaching out for help.
  • The cost of living and housing crises are having a real impact, with many young people living at home longer and separated parents struggling to find suitable accommodation.

Turning words into action: #WhatsYourWord

In response to what they heard, Jigsaw Meath is launching the #WhatsYourWord stigma reduction campaign. The campaign asks everyone — young people, parents, families, and communities — to share the What’s Your Word? video on Jigsaw Meath’s Instagram, and to create their own positive words that encourage open conversations about mental health.

The word stigma originally comes from the Greek for “to brand or mark.” This campaign flips that meaning — replacing the negative with the positive. Instead of shame or judgment, we’re inviting people to share words of kindness, strength, and hope.

Schools, clubs, workplaces, and community groups across Meath are encouraged to take part:

  • Watch and re-share the video.
  • Create your own word.
  • Start conversations where you live, learn, work, or play.

Follow this link to find the video on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPUDgqSD9kC/

Jigsaw Meath extended special thanks to Meath CYPSC (Children and Young People’s Services Committee) for funding both the Talk About It event and the #WhatsYourWord campaign.

The insights gathered from young people on the day will help shape both the CYPSC Plan and Jigsaw’s upcoming Strategic Plan (2027–2030) — ensuring that what young people said doesn’t just stay in the room, but leads to real change.

As organisers put it:

“This topic is too important to turn away from. Sharing one post, one word at a time, can become a powerful force for change.”

 

 

PRESS RELEASE Jigsaw welcomes new funding for youth mental health services as vital step towards nationwide support for young people

Posted on by Ian Carey

For Immediate Release

Jigsaw welcomes new funding for youth mental health services as vital step towards nationwide support for young people

Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, has today warmly welcomed the Government’s announcement of new investment to expand youth mental health services across Ireland in Budget 2026.

The Budget commitment includes funding for new Jigsaw hubs providing free, early intervention mental health support for young people aged 12 to 25.

Jigsaw has been allocated an additional €1.3 million in annual funding to support the development of new Jigsaw services. While full details are still to be confirmed, proposed locations include Co. Waterford (serving the Southeast) and Co. Clare, through additional resourcing of our Limerick team.

Joseph Duffy, CEO of Jigsaw, said:

“This is a really positive and important step. Expanding Jigsaw services means that more young people will be able to access support when they need it, in their own communities, without long waits or complex referral processes. I want to acknowledge the significant work of Minister Butler, the Department of Health and the HSE in supporting this expansion of Jigsaw’s youth mental health supports.

“We know from experience that early, local, and accessible mental health support can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Every young person, no matter where they live, deserves that opportunity.”

“While this funding is hugely welcome, the reality is that youth mental health remains one of the biggest challenges facing our country. We must see today’s announcement as part of a sustainied and long-term investment in building a system that truly meets young people’s needs.”

Jigsaw currently operates 14 services nationwide, supporting young people aged 12 to 25 who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. The organisation has long advocated for a truly national network of supports that make early help available to every young person in Ireland.

Jigsaw launches annual National Compliment Day 

Posted on by Ian Carey

To get the country sharing compliments, and supporting young people struggling with their mental health.

This National Compliment Day (this Thursday September 25th), Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, is again teaming up with Starbucks to help spread positivity and raise vital funds for young people’s mental health.

For 12 to 25-year-olds experiencing mental health challenges, Jigsaw provides free, confidential mental health support across Ireland. With demand for services growing, the charity is calling on the public to give more than words this September: share a compliment and make a donation to help a young person access support when they need it most.

“Something as simple as giving a compliment can have a ripple effect,” said Justin McDermott of Jigsaw. “It not only lifts the person receiving it, but it boosts the wellbeing of the giver too. By taking part in National Compliment Day, you’re helping to spread kindness while funding life-changing support for young people.”

Why giving feels good – the science behind it

Research shows that giving to others isn’t just good for the community – it directly benefits our own wellbeing. Evidence highlights that:

  • Acts of kindness spark positive feelings: Neuroscience shows that cooperation and generosity activate reward centres in the brain, giving us an intrinsic sense of pleasure and satisfaction.
  • Helping others builds purpose and meaning: From volunteering to small gestures like saying thank you, giving strengthens our sense of belonging and self-worth, both of which are vital for mental health.
  • Kindness helps us live longer, healthier lives: Studies reveal that supporting others is linked to lower stress and even reduced mortality rates, showing that generosity is not just emotionally rewarding but physically beneficial too.

More than words

While compliments and small acts of kindness can give our wellbeing a boost, Jigsaw stresses that words alone cannot resolve mental health difficulties. For young people struggling with anxiety, low mood, or stress, professional support can make all the difference – and that is what donations to Jigsaw make possible.

How to get involved

On Thursday 25th September, and over the following weekend, visit any Starbucks store nationwide to donate to Jigsaw or you can donate online at www.jigsaw.ie/give. Every euro raised goes directly towards providing free, early-intervention mental health services for young people across Ireland.

“By giving a compliment to someone in your life that day, and by making a donation to Jigsaw, you’re doubling the good – for yourself, for the person you compliment, and for the thousands of young people who need Jigsaw’s support,” added Justin McDermott.

For more information, visit https://jigsaw.ie/.

Read Mór initiative

Posted on by Karl Hempton

This September, Jigsaw will be gifting free books to young people across Ireland, as part of the Culture Night festivities.

The initiative, called Read Mór, will see 30 books by Irish and Irish-based authors given out for free from selected Jigsaw services.

Read Mór in 2025 is a partnership between Jigsaw and the Arts Council and is aimed at encouraging young people to embrace reading.

Now in its fourth year, Read Mór was created to extend the spirit of Culture Night to those who may be unable to attend in-person events. The initiative champions Irish writing while recognising the proven benefits of reading for mental health, emotional wellbeing, and social connection.

This year, Read Mór events will take place in selected Jigsaw centres nationwide on Culture Night, giving young people across the country the opportunity to connect, explore books, and celebrate reading in a welcoming environment.

For us at Jigsaw, the Read Mór initiative offers an opportunity to allow young people to discover the mental health benefits of reading, which is sometimes referred to as bibliotherapy.

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