Updated / Thursday, 6 May 2021
14:53
Urgent changes to support services for young people are needed to avert a mental health disaster
Young people are under enormous strain because of the pandemic, an Oireachtas committee has heard, and urgent changes to support services are needed to avert a surefire recipe for a mental health disaster .
Ian Power, CEO of SpunOut.ie, Ireland s youth information website, told the sub-committee on mental health that one in five of young people using a free texting service last year had considered taking their own lives.
The National Ambulance Service was mobilised in over 400 cases, because young people were in real and active and imminent danger , he said.
Republic s youth support workers ‘stretched to the limit during Covid Rachael Treanor of the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) described the sector as “grossly understaffed” Michelle Devane, PA 06 May, 2021 15:17
Youth support workers are “stretched to the limit” and “completely burned out” due to the increased demand for services during the pandemic, an Oireachtas committee has heard.
Rachael Treanor of the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) described the sector as “grossly understaffed”.
The National Youth Health Programme manager told the mental health committee that additional funding is “crucial” to combat the issues that will face young people after Covid.