A leading Irish youth mental health charity has issued a stark warning about the impact of Covid and the cost of living crisis on young people.
Ireland’s mental health support services are more stretched than ever before.
New research from Jigsaw reveals the growing demand for its support services, and paints a grim picture on the rise in young people accessing mental health support.
The mental health charity’s latest Annual Report shows that 2021 saw it offer an increasing number of appointments to young people, whilst also receiving its highest ever number of referrals.
Referrals to its community-based services were up by 24% year-on-year, and there was an increase of 54% on appointments offered.
A second year college student, and Jigsaw volunteer Youth Advocate, contributed to Jigsaw’s research, and shared his experience, Sam Kelly said:
“At the end of 2019, I remember being so excited for the year ahead. I was going to finish my Leaving Cert, and have my first year in college. Two years later, it’s hard to keep track of all the missed milestones - no school graduation; a debs restricted to 30 people; and a first year of college spent in my parents’ house doing classes…
"I can see the stress that Covid and now the cost-of-living is putting on the people I know, and the worry and hardship it’s causing.
Sam added: “As young people, if we need help today and ask for it, it’s no good to find ourselves waiting. That’s just another stress. If we are looking for support today, it’s because we need it today. Not in six or whatever months’ time, that is just too late.”
The latest data reveals that Jigsaw saw a 104% increase in demand for its live chat service, and a 144% increase in demand for its email support.
The worrying numbers are part of a trend reflected across Ireland’s mental health support services.
In February, the HSE’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) reported a 40% increase in the number of children waiting to be seen by their services.
Jigsaw’s research has shown that young people were already facing considerable increases in anxiety, low self-esteem, feelings of isolation and low mood before the pandemic and cost of living crisis.
Director of Services at Jigsaw Sarah Cullinan, said: “The message is loud and clear that many of Ireland’s young people are in real distress. There is no doubt that the Covid pandemic and the cost of living crisis are taking a toll on their mental health and wellbeing.
"Every day at Jigsaw we hear from more and more young people who are feeling isolated, fearful and anxious about the future. The fact that they often struggle to get the support they need and deserve only adds to their anxiety and distress.”
Further research conducted by ERSI has also reflected the impact of Covid, with 40% of young men and 55% of young women classified as depressed.
This is up from two years previously when 22% of men and 31% of women were depressed.
Additionally, the cost of living crisis is intensifying financial hardship for many people across Ireland with an array of rising household expenses including rent, fuel and food.
The impacts of financial hardship and poverty on mental health are well documented, and are backed up by Jigsaw’s own research showing financial difficulties as one of the top stressors for young people.
In response, Jigsaw has pledged to continue to expand and look for new ways to offer its mental health supports.
The last twelve months have seen the charity open a fourteenth community-based service in Tipperary, launch its Jigsaw Schools Hub offering online resources to schools, offer its One Good School initiative in even more schools, and continue delivering a growing amount of information and support online through its website, jigsaw.ie.
But, with the numbers of young people seeking support expected to continue to rise, the charity believes that this is not enough.
The serious gaps in Ireland’s mental health supports clearly exposed by Covid and the cost-of-living crisis have been a long-time in the making, and will need serious long-term investment to address.
Jigsaw is calling for the government to act on its warning, and ensure that there is enough funding and the plans in place for the mental health services and supports that our young people need and deserve.
Speaking on the worrying revelations, CEO of Jigsaw, Dr Joseph Duffy reflected on the report, and expressed concerns.
The CEO wrote, “The past year has highlighted, once again, that mental health services and supports in Ireland are under significant pressure.
“While it is encouraging to see young people reaching out for support, at Jigsaw we are increasingly concerned about the rising levels of demand across mental health support services, and the all too clear impact that we see it having on young people’s lives.
Dr Duffy urges that there is a shortage of trained mental health professionals across mental health services, and that local groups also play an enormous role in support.
He said: “A shortage of trained mental health professionals, not just in Jigsaw, but in the wider mental health services, continues to stretch limited resources and is impacting on the timely support we wish to offer.
“Far more attention needs to be devoted to preventing mental ill-health, rather than simply intervening as it arises. Schools, sports clubs, local businesses, all the groups and organisations that make up our local communities can make a huge difference in tackling poor mental health.”
READ NEXT:
- Budget 2023 just a week away - Here's what to expect from energy credits, social welfare increases and lump sum payments
- Shocking scenes in Dublin as gardai 'rammed' twice before cars left to burn in local park
- Couple come home from Garth Brooks concert with newborn after superstar 'brought on labour'
- RTE Joe Duffy listeners disgusted as 'dine and dash' leaves waitress to pay bill at Irish restaurant
- Ireland weather: Met Eireann forecasts sunshine and 20C heat before major change
