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PRESS RELEASE: Record demand for Jigsaw services as youth mental health pressures intensify

Posted on by Ian Carey

Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, has reported the highest level of demand for its services in a single month since the charity was established.

In October 2025, 1,243 young people sought support from Jigsaw, compared to the same month last year it represents a 24.3% increase.

Across the first ten months of 2025 (January to October), 9,059 young people have turned to Jigsaw for help, marking a 22.3% rise on the same period in 2024.

This follows on from record-breaking demand for youth mental health services with the charity in September. This means that the last two months have been the two highest demand months since the youth mental health charity was founded in 2006.

Jigsaw CEO Dr. Joseph Duffy said the figures paint a stark picture of the growing pressures on young people.

“We are seeing more and more young people reach out because they’re struggling to cope, and that should be of real concern for all of us,” said Dr. Duffy.

“We need to make sure that every young person in Ireland, has access to free, face-to-face mental health support when they need it.

“The recent budget saw a major investment in two new Jigsaw services. – Waterford, to serve the Southeast, and in Clare. These are an important step forward and I want to commend the Government for giving youth mental health provision greater priority but we need to ensure we have the resources to meet the rising demand in other parts of the country, so no one is left behind.

“This is a challenge for primary care providers, mental health charities, like Jigsaw, as well as policymakers.”

Jigsaw, which provides free, confidential mental health support to young people aged 12–25, operates 14 services across Ireland alongside online and school-based supports.

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.”

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.

M&S donate €150k to support youth mental health

Posted on by Ian Carey

Marks & Spencer Country Director Eddie Murphy has presented Jigsaw with a donation of €150,000 to help support the mental health of young people around Ireland.  

This week marked one year since Jigsaw and M&S entered into our exciting partnership.

Under the banner, ‘Together we’ve got this’, the partnership aims to raise capacity, reach, and accessibility of the help available to young people across Ireland struggling with their mental health through a series of fundraising and awareness initiatives.

The last 12 months have seen a range of initiatives across areas such as in-store fundraising, staff training and public awareness campaigns. With over e150k raised to date, the partnership is due to go from strength to strength over the next 2 years.

 

How to manage exam stress

Posted on by Ian Carey

Exam stress impacts everyone. Learning how to manage it is essential to success and well-being at school.

As part of Jigsaw’s new schools programme Neart, the team has produced a podcast which provides tips and advice on how to understand and manage the stress of exams for students and parents.

 

Listen here

 

In this episode, the Neart schools team talks to Dr. Kim Lombard from Jigsaw, Catríona Rodgers and Eoin Houlihan from the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, Áine Lynch from the National Parents Council, Joe Leonard, principal of Cross and Passion College in Kildare, and Cian and Katie from the National Comhairle na nÓg.

We discuss the impact exam stress has on young people and families, how parents can recognise when a young person is experiencing a worrying level of stress, some practical ways parents can support young people, and possible avenues of further support for both young people and their parents.

The Neart Youth Mental Health Podcast is brought to you by Jigsaw, The National Centre for Youth Mental Health, and the Department of Education and the National Educational Psychological Service.

Information on the organisations and supports mentioned can be found here: Exam Stress Episode resource

A general list of supports for parents & guardians can be found here: Parent & Guardian Support List

To sign up for the Neart Parent newsletter and access further supports, register here: Neart Parent Registration

For more information on Neart visit www.jigsaw.ie/neart

 

Starbucks Easter donation drive

Posted on by Ian Carey

Starbucks are running an Easter Donation drive this weekend in aid of Jigsaw.

The coffee chain will be giving customers a chance to donate to Jigsaw and support free therapy for young people who need it.

Justin McDermott, Fundraising Manager at Jigsaw, explains:

“This Easter weekend our partners Starbucks Ireland are running a donation drive across all their outlets in Ireland to support our free therapy and support services for children and young people, aged 12-25.  So we are asking you to do these three things to support.

  1. Connect with your friends
  2. Grab a coffee in your local Starbucks 
  3. Donate to Jigsaw 

“You can also donate online to support this drive, to do so visit www.jigsaw.ie/GiveAtEaster“.

VHI Women’s Mini Marathon SOLD OUT!

Posted on by Ian Carey

We’re excited to share that over 40 amazing supporters have already signed up to take part in this year’s VHI Women’s Mini Marathon on Sunday, 1st June 2025, as part of our Run for Jigsaw campaign!

Run for Jigsaw is our national fundraising series supporting youth mental health, proudly sponsored by Incredible Socks. Together, we’re stepping up for young people across Ireland—and the Women’s Mini Marathon is one of the biggest highlights of the year.

The event is now completely sold out, but don’t panic—we’re working on securing more tickets, so stay tuned. We’ll share updates as soon as we can.

If you are interested in taking part in this event and would like to be put on our waiting list for a ticket, please email Steven at steven.short@Jigsaw.ie

A huge thank you to everyone who’s already joined Team Jigsaw. Your support means the world, and we can’t wait to cheer you on in June!

Visit Incredible Socks here – https://incrediblesocks.ie/collections/women

New training to support LGBTQ+ youth mental health

Posted on by Ian Carey

PRESS RELEASE

Youth organisations Jigsaw and Belong To co-created course for people working or volunteering with young people

Today national youth organisations Jigsaw – The National Centre for Youth Mental Health and Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland launched an updated training programme ‘Supporting the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People’.

The free online training has been created for adults who work or volunteer with young people in their communities to upskill in supporting LGBTQ+ young people’s mental health.

The two youth organisations originally came together in 2016 to develop a course for those who work or volunteer with young people. This is the second iteration of that course, updated to meet the current cultural environment and needs of LGBTQ+ youth.

The training takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete, and covers topics including:

  • Using appropriate language and terminology when supporting LGBTQ+ young people;
  • The current landscape of LGBTQ+ young people’s mental health;
  • The impact of the social determinants of health on LGBTQ+ young people’s mental health;
  • The impact of minority stress upon LGBTQ+ young people’s mental health; and
  • Practical strategies to help build resilience among LGBTQ+ young people.

Growing Mental Health Challenges for LGBTQI+ Youth

Recent research from Trinity College Dublin, Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland, which was published in 2024, highlights the significant mental health challenges experienced by LGBTQ+ youth in Ireland today.

The report revealed that, compared to the general youth population, LGBTQI+ young people experience:

  • Three times the level of severe and extremely severe symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression;
  • Twice the level of suicide ideation; and
  • Five times the level of suicide attempts.

Speaking about the course today, Dr Joseph Duffy (he/him), CEO at Jigsaw commented:

“People working and volunteering with youth have a huge opportunity to support them in a way that can really change lives. Being able to support young people through challenges being faced at a critical time in their development can have a huge and lasting impact. This training has been developed to provide anyone in this position with the knowledge and understanding to be able to support LGBTQ+ young people who we know need that support now.”

Also speaking was Moninne Griffith (she/her), CEO of Belong To who said:

“We’re very proud to be launching this updated training, and very conscious of the current environment in which we’re doing so with an increase in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment and a growing, coordinated attempt both internationally and here in Ireland to row back on LGBTQ+ rights. Young people see this and feel this. The findings of ‘Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland’ revealed last year are upsetting, but to those of us working to support LGBTQI+ people, unfortunately they are not surprising.

“This study demonstrates the harsh reality that depression, anxiety and stress have increased amongst LGBTQ+ youth since the first iteration of the same study in 2016. We hope that this study will be a resource for any person working or volunteering with young people to support them through challenges they are facing, at a time when they so clearly need that support.”

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