Sligo Leitrim CYPSC launch research report highlighting youth mental health needs

A new research report, “Young People Leading the Mental Health Conversation,” was launched in Sligo and Leitrim by children and young people’s services committees and local council leadership. Key findings were presented at an event in Carrick-on-Shannon, outlining next steps to build mental health services that meet young people’s needs. The report reflects young people’s views and experiences and provides feedback to improve supports and invest in local services. Youth Work Ireland emphasized that young people’s voices shaped the direction and depth of the work. The external project was commissioned to understand local demand and examine requirements for developing a service. Feedback included over 270 contributions, including 223 young people. The findings call for early support, local access, and youth-friendly services, noting a lack of early-intervention youth mental health services and the need for additional accessible local supports.

"“This report reflects the views and experiences of young people in Sligo and Leitrim and provides us with essential feedback to help improve supports and invest in local services. I want to thank all of those involved in this research and welcome their voice to help shape and expand our community-based supports.”"

"“young people's voices were core to the research, their honesty and clarity shaped the direction and depth of this work, and their voices remain at the heart of the findings.”"

"“The external research project was commissioned by Sligo Leitrim CYPSC to firstly understand the local demand for youth mental health services and then to examine the requirements of developing a service to best meet those needs. Feedback includes over 270 contributions from a broad range of participants, including 223 young people.”"

"“The report outlines that young people are seeking support early, support locally and support that feels youth‑friendly. The research points to a lack of early‑intervention youth mental‑health services in Sligo or Leitrim and highlights the need for additional local and accessible supports for young people”"

Read at Irish Independent