PRESS RELEASE Important New Research Demonstrates Impact of Early Intervention on Youth Mental Health

Jigsaw is proud to share new findings from one of the largest studies to date on youth mental health service outcomes in Ireland, published in the Journal of Early Intervention in Psychiatry. The study provides compelling evidence that young people accessing Jigsaw services experience significant improvements in their mental health. These findings highlight the positive impacts experienced by young people attending Jigsaw services across Ireland and underscore the clinical staff ability to deliver tailored, meaningful therapy. This study also adds to the growing body of international evidence supporting the effectiveness of early intervention primary care youth mental health.

Key findings include:

• Improvement Rates: Between 57% and 66% of young people showed reliable improvements in their mental health—outcomes that compare favourably with international standards and underline the effectiveness of timely mental health support. Most young people presented with moderate-to-moderate severe distress.
• Timely Access: Delays exceeding 60 days reduced improvement rates by 11% among 12-16-year-olds, underscoring the urgent need for rapid access to care.
• Supporting Those Most in Need: Young people experiencing the highest distress levels achieved the greatest improvements, highlighting the essential role Jigsaw plays in supporting those facing significant mental health challenges.
• Personalised Care: More sessions did not always lead to better outcomes, reinforcing the importance of personalised, tailored therapeutic support based on individual needs.

What does this mean for Policy and Practice?

• Invest in Early Intervention: Providing timely, high-quality mental health care not only leads to positive outcomes for young people but also helps reduce long-term societal and economic costs by addressing mental health issues early.
• Focus on Personalised Support: Prioritise interventions tailored to individual needs, particularly for those experiencing greater distress, who are most likely to benefit significantly from targeted care.
• Ensure Timely Access: Quick access to care is crucial. Providers should aim to keep wait times below 60 days, especially for 12–16-year-olds, to prevent delays from significantly impacting recovery.

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

“This study adds to the growing international evidence that early intervention works—especially when it’s timely, youth-focused, and tailored. The outcomes we’re seeing here in Ireland show just how impactful this approach can be when delivered at scale”.

“Jigsaw’s investment in a national electronic health record has been critical to building a data-driven culture—allowing us to generate real-time insights, track outcomes at scale, and continuously improve how we support young people’s mental health.”

Read the full study here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/eip.13637