What’s happening to young people’s mental health? 

And why are so many struggling to cope?

 

We are living through a youth mental health crisis. It has been building slowly over the past two decades, but today its impact is unmistakable. From schools and homes to social media and community spaces, young people in Ireland and across the world are struggling, and too often, they’re struggling alone. 

 

So what’s changed? And why now?

 

A landmark global study published in The Lancet in 2024 found that mental health among young people has been declining, especially in high-income countries like Ireland. The study highlighted a range of contributing factors: rising academic pressure, the influence of social media, increased loneliness and isolation, climate anxiety, economic insecurity, and growing inequality. 

 

Closer to home, the My World Survey 2 — the largest ever study of youth mental health in Ireland — found that levels of anxiety, stress and low self-esteem increased significantly between adolescence and young adulthood. The research also identified a worrying fall in protective factors like optimism, life satisfaction and connectedness, with many young people reporting that they felt unsupported, unheard or unsure where to turn for help. 

 

Is it too late to turn things around?

 

No, but the science is clear: we must act early. Evidence consistently shows that intervening at the first signs of mental health difficulty can significantly reduce the risk of more serious problems developing. Young people need timely, accessible, youth-friendly services — not just when things reach crisis point, but at the very beginning of their mental health journey. 

 

That’s where Jigsaw comes in. Our services offer free early support in local communities across Ireland, giving young people a safe, non-judgemental space to talk, to be heard, and to find hope. 

 

Thanks to your support, we are there every day helping young people build their mental health and resilience. But demand is rising, and the need has never been greater. This is one of the biggest health and social challenges of our time. 

 

Together, we can respond. Together, we can change the story.

 

Need Support?

We at Jigsaw offer a range of supports for children and young people aged between 12 and 25 across Ireland, including online support and face to face therapy sessions.

For more information on our supports click here:

Get Support

It’s the largest gathering of researchers, practitioners and young people supporting youth mental health in the world.

And next year the International Association for Youth Mental Health (IAYMH) Conference will take place in Dublin.

Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, with the support of the Department of Health and the HSE, was successful in bidding to bring the prestigious conference to Ireland.

The conference will take place at Dublin’s Convention Centre from November 25th to 27th, 2026.

This global conference will be planned and delivered in partnership with young people. It will spotlight cutting-edge Youth Mental Health practice, policy and research, connect young people with each other, researchers, practitioners, organisations, and policy makers, to explore how evidence drives change in policy, practice, and services.