Supporting Material
additional information and resources
On this page, you will find:
A 3-minute video providing tips for running mental health sessions with young people
Additional information fact sheets
You will also find links to:
Youth mental health websites
Youth mental health research reports
Websites relating to ethnicity, culture and identity
Information about the RCSI MyHealth lecture series
Tips for running mental health sessions with young people
Play this short video to hear some general tips on running mental health sessions with young people
Mental Health Educate information sheets
Click on icons below to access
PDF tip sheets and fact sheets
Further information
Below are links to websites and research reports where you can find more information about the lives, identities and mental health of young people. Please note that the list of websites and reports is not exhaustive
Click on the relevant logo to open the link in a new tab
Youth mental health websites
SpunOut.ie is a Mental Health Educate collaborator.
SpunOut.ie is Ireland’s leading youth information website created by young people, for young people. SpunOut's aim is to educate and inform their readers about the importance of holistic wellbeing and how good health can be maintained, both physically and mentally. The website provides a wealth of information on topics including; education, employment, health, mental health and general life. The target age range for young people visiting the website is 16-25 years.
SpunOut.ie has content on all of the themes and issues on Mental Health Educate and all animations on Mental Health Educate are hosted on the main SpunOut.ie website and available on the SpunOut YouTube channel.
Jigsaw, the national centre for youth mental health, is a community-based youth mental health support service in Ireland. Jigsaw provides in-person and online emotional and mental health support to young people with mild to moderate difficulties. The Jigsaw website hosts information on a range of topics related to youth mental health. Some sections of the website are for young people, some are for parents and guardians and some are for people who work with young people. Jigsaw also has a school programme called One Good School™, which you can read about here. You can access Jigsaw's information, educational resources and self-care resources for teachers and others here.
Irish youth mental health research reports
The Mental Health of Young People in Ireland Report, is a Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) research report published by Mary Cannon, Helen Coughlan and colleagues in 2013. It contains research findings on significant mental health difficulties among young people aged 11-13 years and 19-24 years in Ireland. All of the data in the report came from in-depth clinical interviews with young people as part of two epidemiological studies, the Adolescent Brain Development study and the Challenging Times study. This short report uses easy to follow graphics to highlight key findings.
The My World 2 survey website contains findings from Ireland’s largest and most comprehensive study of young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Published by Jigsaw and University College Dublin (UCD) in 2019, the report captures findings from over 19,000 adolescents and young adults across Ireland. There is a wealth of information about young people's lives and mental health and a range of psychological and social risk and protective factors. Findings are broken down by school year, highlighting important age-related trends. There are also findings from young people from young people not in mainstream education and young people with disabilities.
Websites and organisations relating to identity, ethnicity and culture
BeLonG To Youth Services is the national organisation supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI+) young people in Ireland. Since 2003, they have worked with LGBTI+ young people, between 14 and 23 years, to create a world where they are equal, safe, and valued in the diversity of their identities and experiences. They also advocate and campaign on behalf of young LGBTI+ people, and offer a specialised LGBTI+ youth service with a focus on mental and sexual health, alongside drug and alcohol support.
TENI, the Transgender Equality Network Ireland is a non-profit organisation that aims to advance the rights and equality, and improve the lives of trans people and their families. Along with providing advocacy and support to trans people and their families, TENI offers trans training and workshops that increase awareness, understanding and inclusion of trans issues across key sectors of Irish society. This includes trans training for schools. The TENI website has some really helpful information, including a list of helpful terms and definitions relating to gender identity.
PAVEE POINT
Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre is a national non-governmental organisation comprised of Travellers, Roma and members of the majority population working in partnership at national, regional, local and international levels. The Pavee Point website offers a wealth of information about Traveller and Roma culture and identity. There is also a section highlighting their work to promote the mental health of people within the Traveller community.
Websites with information about local youth work activities
NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL OF IRELAND (NYCI)
NYCI, the National Youth Council of Ireland is the representative body for voluntary youth organisations in Ireland. The website has information about youth work activities for young asylum seekers and refugees across Ireland and resources
on issues affecting young people from ethnic minorities. To view this information and access the resources, click here.
YOUTH WORK IRELAND
Youth Work Ireland is the largest youth organisation in Ireland. They are made up of 21 local member youth services and a national office. They support the delivery of an integrated youth services model to young people in their communities. This means that young people around Ireland can avail of a whole range of services and supports if and when they need them. Their website includes information focused on young LGBTQI people and young people from the Traveller community. Their Be Well programme focuses on youth mental health.
More from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
RCSI MyHealth Lecture Series
RCSI MyHealth provides easy access to reliable health information, including free open lectures that cover a broad spectrum of topics of interest to patients, their families and the wider public. Included in the 2020/2021 series and related to the emotional and mental health of children and adults were 'Living with the new Normal', 'Supporting Child and Youth Health this Winter' and 'Managing Coronaphobia'.
The full playlist for the 2020/2021 RCSI MyHealth series can be viewed here
Guide for Adolescents referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Some of the Mental Health Educate team have written, designed and illustrated a guide to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. The guide is specifically for young adolescents who have been referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Using illustrations and simple text, it gives young people insights into these services, who works in them & the supports they offer.
For more information about the guide, please contact Catriona O'Grady in the Department of Psychiatry, RCSI