Jigsaw Wicklow engages local Councillors to champion youth mental health

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.

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.

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.