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Young voices leading the way – Advocacy event at Dublin 15 Hub

Posted on by Ian Carey

Jigsaw Dublin 15 hosted a powerful youth advocacy event in the Dublin 15 Hub, bringing together young people, educators, and public representatives to spotlight the issues that matter most to young people in the community.

At the heart of the event were Transition Year students from a number of local schools, who delivered thoughtful and engaging presentations on the challenges facing young people in their area. Participating schools included Le Chéile Secondary School, Hansfield Educate Together Secondary School, Coláiste Pobail Setanta, Hartstown Community School, and Blakestown Community School. Castleknock Community College was also involved in the wider project, although their students were unfortunately unable to attend on the day.

The event was organised by Service Manager Lorraine Halpin and Youth Community and Engagement Worker Teresa Howe along with the D15 Jigsaw team whose leadership helped create a meaningful space for young people’s voices to be heard.

Young people speaking up

The students spoke with insight and confidence about a range of local issues impacting their lives and wellbeing. Their presentations highlighted both the challenges young people face and the opportunities for change, with a strong focus on mental health, access to supports, and the importance of safe, inclusive spaces.

Alongside the student presentations, attendees also heard from Jigsaw staff about the organisation’s work and the broader challenges affecting young people’s mental health, both locally and nationally.

The event also featured a powerful contribution from young author Brooke Coleman, who performed original poetry reflecting on what it is like to be a young person today. In addition, Jigsaw Youth Advocate Mariam Sobayo spoke about her own experiences, further grounding the discussion in the lived realities of young people.

Engaging with decision-makers

A key part of the event was the opportunity for young people to share their perspectives directly with local and national representatives.

We were delighted to welcome:

Teachtaí Dála (TDs):

  • Paul Donnelly (Sinn Féin)
  • Roderic O’Gorman (Green Party)
  • Ruth Coppinger (Solidarity)

Fingal County Council representatives:

  • Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary (Fine Gael)
  • Cllr Ted Leddy (Fine Gael)
  • Cllr Angela Donnelly (Sinn Féin)
  • Cllr Gerard Sheehan (Aontú)
  • Cllr John Burtchaell (Solidarity)
  • Luke Daly on behalf of Cllr Mary McCamley (Labour Party)

Their attendance created a valuable space for dialogue, where young people could speak directly to those in positions to influence change.

Meaningful conversations and real engagement

One of the most positive aspects of the day was the level of engagement from councillors and TDs. There were open and constructive discussions about:

  • What can be done locally to better support young people
  • The role of national policy in shaping young people’s experiences
  • How services like Jigsaw can be strengthened and expanded

Young people were not only heard—they were taken seriously. Their ideas, concerns and lived experiences sparked important conversations and reflection among decision-makers.

Building momentum for youth advocacy

This event highlighted the impact of creating spaces where young people can share their voices and be part of shaping solutions.

It also demonstrated the value of collaboration between schools, youth services, and local representatives. By bringing these groups together, meaningful conversations can take place—grounded in the real experiences of young people and focused on practical ways forward.

Moments like this highlight what can happen when young people are given the opportunity, support, and platform to share their perspectives. Bringing together schools, services and local representatives creates space for conversations that might not otherwise happen—and helps to strengthen connections across the community.

 

What drives young people to keep coming back for mental health support?

Posted on by Ian Carey

A new study by Jigsaw researchers, funded by the Health Research Board (HRB), offers important insights into how young people use mental health services in Ireland—and what helps them stay engaged.

The research, led by Jeff Moore, Neil Ryan and Siobhan O’Brien, analysed data from more than 23,000 young people aged 12–25 who accessed Jigsaw services between 2017 and 2022.

The key finding: anxiety drives engagement

One finding stands out.

Young people presenting with anxiety were more likely to attend more sessions than those with other concerns.

In other words, anxiety doesn’t just bring young people through the door—it keeps them coming back for support.

This matters. It suggests that when services respond effectively to anxiety, young people may be more likely to remain engaged with support.

Demand is rising—and it’s not slowing down

The study also found a steady increase in referrals over time, with noticeable seasonal peaks linked to the academic year.

While some of this growth reflects the expansion of Jigsaw services, the continued upward trend points to something bigger: a growing need for accessible youth mental health support.

Not all young people engage in the same way

The research highlights some important differences in how young people use services:

  • Young men attended fewer sessions than young women
  • Higher distress levels reduced attendance in older young people, but not younger adolescents
  • Parental involvement increased engagement for older age groups

These findings remind us that a “one-size-fits-all” approach doesn’t work. Engagement is shaped by age, gender, family context and individual need.

What does this mean for services?

Taken together, the results point to a clear message:

Accessible, responsive, and tailored support is key to helping young people stay engaged.

Understanding what drives attendance—especially the strong role of anxiety—can help services like Jigsaw continue to adapt and improve.

As demand grows, these insights are vital. They help ensure that services are not only available, but designed in ways that truly meet young people where they are.

👉 Learn more about the study

 

Jigsaw Wicklow engages local Councillors to champion youth mental health

Posted on by Ian Carey

At Jigsaw, we are committed not only to supporting young people directly, but also to advocating for stronger systems, better access, and lasting change in youth mental health.

Recently, our team in Wicklow brought that commitment into a key local decision-making space through a deputation to Wicklow County Council’s Bray Municipal District—an engagement that has also been recognised in local media.

Bringing youth mental health to local decision-makers

Youth Community Engagement Worker, Adam Burke, alongside Senior Clinician Clara O’Shea Collins and Youth Advocate Ceoladh Fenlon, presented an overview of Jigsaw Wicklow’s work and our key advocacy priorities to local councillors.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Melanie Corrigan and attended by councillors Ned Whelan, Malachai Duddy, Joe Behan, Ian Neary and Caroline Winstanley, council staff, local press and members of the public.

The deputation had been organised by Cllr Erika Doyle, Green Party Councillor for Bray East and Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District, who unfortunately was unable to attend on the day due to illness.

Responding to growing need

As outlined during the presentation—and reflected in recent coverage in the Irish Independent—demand for youth mental health support continues to grow, with services facing sustained pressure from a range of factors impacting young people’s wellbeing.

Our team shared the impact of their work in Wicklow:

  • Over 400 young people completing therapy in 2025
  • Reduced waiting times through our single-session model
  • More than 3,000 people reached through workshops in the past two years
  • Continued expansion of early intervention and prevention work across communities.

These insights helped ground the discussion in both the scale of need and the effectiveness of early intervention models.

Councillors show strong support

The response from councillors was overwhelmingly positive, with clear recognition of both the need for youth mental health services and the impact of Jigsaw’s approach.

As reported locally, there was a shared understanding among elected representatives of the “unprecedented demand” facing youth mental health supports, alongside strong backing for early intervention services like Jigsaw.

Councillors also spoke about the value of community-based, youth-friendly supports and the importance of ensuring young people can access help early—before difficulties escalate.

Centred on youth voice

A key strength of the engagement was the inclusion of youth voice. Ceoladh Fenlon’s contribution brought lived experience into the room and highlighted the importance of meaningful youth participation in shaping services.

This reflects a core principle of Jigsaw’s work—“nothing about us, without us”—ensuring that young people are not just recipients of services, but active contributors to how they are designed and delivered.

Building on local partnerships

The discussion also acknowledged the role of strong local partnerships in supporting youth mental health in Wicklow, including community initiatives and long-standing advocates who have championed this work over many years.

These connections remain central to how Jigsaw operates—working collaboratively with communities, schools and local stakeholders to build a more supportive environment for young people.

From conversation to action

Importantly, the deputation was not simply a presentation—it was the beginning of an ongoing dialogue.

Councillors expressed a willingness to stay engaged, with interest in visiting the local Jigsaw service and continuing discussions around the practical steps needed to strengthen support for young people in the area.

Why local advocacy matters

Engaging with local representatives is a vital part of delivering on Jigsaw’s mission. It allows us to:

  • Highlight emerging needs within communities
  • Share evidence of what works in early intervention
  • Advocate for accessible, youth-friendly services
  • Ensure youth voice is heard where decisions are made

Encouraging collective action

The experience in Wicklow shows that local advocacy can be both constructive and impactful. By bringing together data, practice, and youth voice, it is possible to build understanding—and momentum—for change.

We would encourage services and organisations across the country to explore similar opportunities to engage with local decision-makers. These conversations matter, and they can help shape more responsive, supportive systems for young people.

Looking Ahead

This engagement marks an important step in ongoing advocacy efforts. With strong support from local representatives and a shared recognition of the challenges facing young people, we look forward to continuing this work—ensuring that youth mental health remains a priority at every level.

PHOTO CAPTION: L – R: Ian Neary (Independent Ireland), Ceoladh Fenelon (Jigsaw Wicklow Youth Advocate), Clara O Shea Collins (Jigsaw Wicklow Senior Clinician), Melanie Corrigan (Fine Gael), Joe Behan (Independent), Adam Burke (Jigsaw Wicklow YCEW), District manager Jackie Carroll, Caroline Winstanley (Soc Dems), Edward Whelan (Fine Gael), Malachai Duddy (Non- Party) A/District Executive Engineer Stephen Fox.

 

We need your help – to shape the future of youth mental health services

Posted on by Ian Carey

If you are coming to Jigsaw for the first time, we’re inviting you to help improve mental health services for young people.

Jigsaw is taking part in an important EU‑funded research study called YOUTHreach, led by the University of Galway. To make this research meaningful, we need to hear directly from young people and families at the very start of their journey with our service.

Who we are looking for

We are currently inviting:

  • Going to Jigsaw for the first time
  • Aged between 12 and 25

Those under 18 will need the consent of their parent or carer.

 

👉 Click here to find out more and sign up

Why your participation matters

Your experience at the beginning of using Jigsaw is incredibly important.

By taking part, you can:

  • Help us understand what it’s really like to start using a mental health service
  • Shape how Jigsaw and similar services are delivered in the future
  • Contribute to research that will improve supports for young people across Ireland and Europe

Quite simply — your voice can help make services better for others.

What taking part involves

If you’re invited, the research team from the University of Galway will explain everything clearly before you decide.

Taking part includes:

  • Four online interviews, each about 30 minutes long
  • Flexible times that suit you and your family
  • A €60 payment to thank you for your time

For young people under 18, a parent or carer will also need to give consent.

Important to know

  • Taking part is completely voluntary
  • Saying yes or no will not affect your care at Jigsaw
  • Everything you share is confidential and handled securely

A message from Jigsaw

Dr Jeff Moore, Director of Research at Jigsaw, says:

“By taking part, young people have an opportunity to share their experience and help improve youth mental health services for others. Participation is voluntary, confidential, and separate from the care provided by Jigsaw.”

Will you help?

If you are invited to take part — and feel comfortable doing so — we strongly encourage you to consider it.

We need your help to improve youth mental health services for the future.

 

👉 Click here to find out more and sign up

 

👉 Learn more about the wider study

 

Every Journey Matters: Applegreen customers invited to support youth mental health this bank holiday weekend

Posted on by Ian Carey

Applegreen customers will this weekend be invited to support youth mental health by making a €2 donation at the till, this weekend.

This May Bank Holiday weekend marks an exciting milestone in Jigsaw’s three-year partnership with Applegreen, as the first nationwide in-store fundraising campaign gets underway.

From Thursday 30 April to Monday 4 May, customers visiting Applegreen locations across Ireland will be invited to support youth mental health and help support young people when they need it most.  With 122 stores nationwide and an estimated one million customer interactions over the weekend, this campaign represents a powerful opportunity for people across the country to make a meaningful difference.

A Shared Commitment to Young People

Earlier this year, Jigsaw and Applegreen announced a partnership under the banner “Every Journey Matters”, with a shared ambition to raise over €1 million in support of youth mental health services over the next three years.

The partnership reflects a deep commitment from Applegreen and its 3,000+ colleagues to support young people across Ireland. Since the announcement, teams from both organisations have been working together to develop fundraising initiatives, volunteering opportunities and awareness campaigns that will support Jigsaw’s mission.

This Bank Holiday activation is the first major moment in that journey.

A Nationwide Effort

Over the four-day campaign, Applegreen stores across the country will be fully activated in support of Jigsaw. Customers will notice Jigsaw orange branding in-store, and in some locations, there will be additional on-site activities led by Applegreen colleagues.

At the heart of the campaign are the frontline teams engaging with customers, starting conversations and inviting small contributions that will collectively have a big impact.

As Justin McDermott, Jigsaw’s Fundraising Manager, explains:

“This campaign is a fantastic example of how small actions can come together to create real change. A €2 donation may feel like a simple gesture, but across hundreds of thousands of customers, it will help us to reach more young people who need support. We are incredibly grateful to Applegreen colleagues and customers for their commitment and generosity.”

Supporting Youth Mental Health

Funds raised through this campaign will go directly towards supporting Jigsaw’s work providing free, early intervention mental health support for young people aged 12–25 across Ireland.

Every donation helps Jigsaw to:

  • Provide vital one-to-one support for young people
  • Deliver mental health education and resources in communities
  • Expand access to services both in-person and online
  • Continue building a society where young people feel supported and heard

Get Involved This Weekend

If you’re passing through an Applegreen this Bank Holiday weekend, we encourage you to:

  • Say yes to the €2 donation at the till
  • Show your support for Applegreen colleagues taking part
  • Help spread the word about youth mental health

Jigsaw staff, volunteers and supporters are also encouraged to drop into their local store, thank teams for their efforts, and celebrate this important first step in the partnership.

Every Journey Matters

This campaign is just the beginning of what promises to be a meaningful and impactful partnership between Jigsaw and Applegreen.

Together, we can ensure that more young people across Ireland have access to the mental health support they need—when they need it most.

Because every journey matters.

 

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Helping young people navigate big feelings: the PEARL research project

Posted on by Ian Carey

When a young person is struggling, it can show up in ways that are hard to name – snapping over small things, withdrawing, sleeplessness, worry that won’t switch off, or emotions that feel suddenly “too much”. For parents and caregivers, those moments can bring a mix of concern, confusion, and a very human question: What’s the right thing to do here?

That’s the heart of PEARL, a new research project being developed through a partnership between the Univeristy of Limerick and Jigsaw. PEARL is focused on understanding the role emotion regulation can play in supporting positive mental health for young people and the adults who care for them.

What do we mean by “emotion regulation”?

Emotion regulation doesn’t mean never getting upset, or trying to “fix” feelings. It refers to how we notice, make sense of, and respond to emotions, especially when they’re intense. For young people, emotion regulation skills can shape how they cope with stress, conflict, disappointment, and change. For parents and caregivers, emotion regulation also matters because staying present in a difficult moment, even when you’re worried, can help a young person feel safer and less alone.

PEARL’s research focus is simple and important: how can we better support emotion regulation in young people, and how can parents be supported to play a positive role in that process?

What is PEARL?

PEARL stands for “Promoting Emotion Regulation and Positive Mental Health in Adolescents Through Leveraging Parental Engagement.” In practice, the project aims to develop and pilot a digital, scalable, emotion-focused parenting programme designed to support young people’s emotion regulation and promote positive mental health.

A key part of PEARL is its focus on parental engagement, not as an add-on but as a meaningful part of prevention and early support. Many parents want to help, but don’t always have practical tools or guidance that feel relevant to everyday life. PEARL is exploring what support for parents can look like when it’s designed to be accessible, realistic, and grounded in what families are actually experiencing.

Built with families, not just for them

One of the most valuable features of PEARL is its participatory co-design approach. That means the programme won’t be developed in isolation. Instead, it will be shaped with input from:

  • young people (aged 12–25)
  • parents/primary caregivers
  • and professionals working in youth mental health and family support

This approach matters because families aren’t one-size-fits-all. Language, format, and practicality make a huge difference to whether support feels usable—especially when life is already busy or stressful. Co-design helps ensure the programme is meaningful, accessible, and informed by lived experience.

Right now, the research team is running a series of consultations with parents, young people, and professionals to help guide the development of the programme.

A partnership between research and frontline practice

PEARL is being led by PhD researcher Sarah O’Leary in the Department of Psychology at the University of Limerick. The work is supervised primarily by Professor Jennifer McMahon (Head of Department of Psychology, UL), with collaboration from Professor Siobhán Howard (UL). It’s delivered in partnership with Jigsaw, with involvement from Dr Jeff Moore (Research Director, Jigsaw Ireland) and Fiona Hughes (Regional Clinical Manager, Jigsaw Ireland).

This collaboration brings together academic expertise and the reality of frontline youth mental health work—so the research stays connected to what matters in practice.

Why I Run: A Teacher’s Story

Posted on by Ian Carey

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.

Abseil for Jigsaw and take a stand for Youth Mental Health

Posted on by Ian Carey

This year, on Thursday 28th May, we’re inviting friends, colleagues and brave supporters everywhere to abseil together for youth mental health. 

With just 40 spots available, places are limited so we encourage you to sign up and start fundraising as soon as you can to avoid disappointment. 

You’ll be abseiling from one of Ireland’s most iconic venues, The Hogan Stand at Croke Park, all while raising vital funds to support young people who are struggling with their mental health. 

Why Abseil for Jigsaw? 

Young people across Ireland are facing more pressure than ever — and too many are facing it alone.   

When you abseil for Jigsaw, you’re helping provide free, confidential mental health support to young people aged 12–25, when they need it most. 

What’s involved? 

To secure your place: 

  • Register for the Abseil for Jigsaw challenge here and pay your €50 deposit 
  • Commit to raising €500 in vital funds for youth mental health 
  • Take part on the day with full safety support from professional abseil instructors at adventure.ie 

When you sign up, you’ll get: 

  • A fundraising pack with everything you need to get started 
  • Your own iDonate fundraising page 
  • Ongoing support from the Jigsaw fundraising team 
  • A check mark off your bucketlist! 

 

👉 Sign up now and take a stand for youth mental health 

 

Trouble talking to your teen? Four small shifts that can make a big difference

Posted on by Ian Carey

Talking to teenagers can sometimes feel like trying to open a door that keeps closing.

Many parents want to support their young person, but they are not always sure how to start the conversation or keep it going.

In a recent webinar hosted by Jigsaw’s Neart Team, Dr. Kim Lombard spoke about practical ways parents can strengthen communication with their teens. Kim shared a simple framework built around four ideas that all begin with the letter “C”. These small shifts can help parents build stronger, more open relationships with their young people.

Start with self-compassion

Parenting a teenager can be challenging. It is normal to question your decisions or feel that you could have handled something differently.

Showing yourself compassion is an important starting point. This means treating yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend in a similar situation. Instead of focusing on mistakes, try to recognise that parenting is a learning process.

When parents are kinder to themselves, it becomes easier to respond calmly and thoughtfully when challenges arise. This also creates space to reflect on situations and consider what might work differently next time.

Be curious, not judgemental

Curiosity can transform how conversations with teenagers unfold.

Sometimes, when a young person is struggling or acting out of character, our instinct can be to ask “What is wrong with you?” A more helpful question might be “What has gone wrong for you?”

This shift in language moves the focus from seeking to understanding. It shows your young person that you are interested in what they are experiencing rather than judging their behaviour.

Curiosity also applies to parents themselves. When a conversation does not go well, it can help to pause and reflect. Why did I react that way? What might I try differently next time?

This kind of reflection helps build stronger communication over time.

Focus on connection

Teenagers may seem more independent, but connection with trusted adults is still very important.

Being present and genuinely interested in what is happening in your young person’s world can help them feel safe opening up. This might be through small, everyday moments such as chatting in the car, walking the dog or sharing a meal.

The goal is not to have perfect conversations, but to create an environment where your young person feels heard and valued.

Move towards collaboration

When children are younger, parents naturally take on a strong leadership role to keep them safe and guide their decisions.

As young people move into their teenage years, they need more opportunities to practise making choices and navigating challenges. This means gradually shifting from directing to collaborating.

Working together to solve problems or think through decisions helps teenagers build confidence and independence. It also shows that you respect their views and trust them to play a role in shaping solutions.

Lead with compassion

Teenagers often face complex situations as they grow and develop. Responding with compassion can help them feel supported rather than criticised.

Compassion means acknowledging what your young person might be going through, listening to their perspective and helping them think about possible next steps.

Rather than rushing to fix the problem, the aim is to support them to find solutions that work for them and meet their needs.

Small changes can make a big difference

Talking to teenagers is not always easy, but small shifts in how we approach these conversations can have a powerful impact.

By practising self-compassion, staying curious, focusing on connection and working collaboratively, parents can help create a relationship where their young person feels understood, supported and able to open up.

And remember, there is no such thing as perfect parenting. What matters most is continuing to show up, listen and learn together.

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These tips formed part of a webinar on Talking to Your Teen delivered as part of the Jigsaw’s Neart Programme for schools, in collaboration with the National Parents Council. To find out more about the programme and future webinars subscribe to the Neart newsletter through the button below. 

Using data to support young people’s mental health: Introducing the HRB-funded PROACT project

Posted on by Ian Carey

Every day across Ireland, young people reach out for help with their mental health.

Services like Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, work to ensure that support is available when it is needed. But as demand continues to grow, services face an important challenge: making sure the right support reaches the right young person at the right time.

A new research project hopes to help with exactly that.

PROACT (Predictive Analytics for Optimised Care in Youth Mental Health) is a partnership between University of Limerick and Jigsaw, funded by the Health Research Board. The project will explore how modern data analysis can help youth mental health services better understand young people’s needs, plan services more effectively, and personalise the support they provide.

Put simply, PROACT is about learning from the information services already collect so that mental health supports can work better for young people.

Why this research matters

Across Ireland and around the world, more young people are seeking help for their mental health. Meeting this need requires services like Jigsaw to keep evolving, not only in how we deliver care, but in how we understand and anticipate it.

PROACT is the first study of its kind in Ireland to examine how advanced analytics can be used within youth mental health services to generate actionable real time insight from real-world service data.

By identifying patterns that are often difficult to detect in day-to-day practice, the project will explore how services can better anticipate demand, understand what works for different young people, and intervene earlier where there is a risk of disengagement.

The ambition is clear – we want to equip clinicians in Jigsaw with better intelligence so that young people can receive more safer, responsive and personalised support.

What the PROACT project will do

The research will focus on five main areas.

Predicting needs and demand

The project will explore how advanced data analysis techniques, including machine learning, can help predict mental health outcomes and identify patterns in how services are used. This could help services anticipate changes in demand, plan staffing more effectively, and respond more quickly when more young people need support.

Understanding young people’s needs

Researchers will analyse anonymised data to build a clearer picture of the needs of young people who access services. This includes looking at how young people find their way to mental health support and how they move through services. Understanding these pathways can help identify gaps in care and groups of young people who may need additional support.

Personalising support

Every young person’s experience of mental health is different. The project will examine how data can help tailor supports to individual needs. Over time, this could help clinicians understand which approaches are most likely to work for particular young people.

Testing tools for clinicians

The research will also explore how data insights could support clinicians in their day-to-day work. In one part of the project, clinicians will test a prototype decision-support tool that uses data insights to help guide personalised care. Their feedback will be essential to make sure any future tools are practical, useful, and aligned with clinical judgement.

Turning research into real-world impact

The final stage of the project will focus on sharing the findings with practitioners, policymakers, and services. The goal is to ensure that what is learned through the research can help improve youth mental health support across Ireland.

Dr Jeff Moore, Director of Research at Jigsaw said:

“At Jigsaw, we have made major investments in implementing a world-class electronic health record system because we believe better data  leads to safe and more effective mental health care. PROACT allows us to combine that asset with world-class academic and clinical expertise to apply innovative analytic methods in a way that is grounded in real service need. This is about turning data into intelligence that supports clinicians, informs better decisions and helps deliver safer, personalised and effective care for young people.”

Protecting young people’s privacy

Protecting the privacy of young people is central to this project. All of the data used in the research will be fully anonymised. This means individual young people cannot be identified.

The aim is not to monitor individuals. Instead, the research looks at patterns across many cases so services can learn and improve over time.

A collaboration across disciplines

PROACT brings together people with expertise in mental health research, clinical practice, artificial intelligence, policy, and lived experience.

The research team includes Dr Ruth Melia, Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology at University of Limerick, Dr Jeff Moore, Director of Research at Jigsaw – The National Centre for Youth Mental Health, and Professor Pepijn Van de Ven, Professor of AI and Machine Learning at University of Limerick.

They are joined by Derek Chambers General Manager (Policy Implementation) at the National Mental Health Office, in HSE Access & Integration team along with youth advocates Jack Kirby and Eva Lenihan, who help ensure the voices and perspectives of young people remain central to the work.

Looking ahead

The long-term vision of the PROACT project is straightforward. It is about helping youth mental health services provide the right support the first time a young person seeks help.

By learning from data in a responsible way, the research aims to help services anticipate demand, reduce waiting times, identify young people who may need additional support, and plan services more effectively.

Ultimately, the goal is simple. When a young person reaches out for help, they should receive the support they need as quickly and effectively as possible.

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