Jigsaw Kerry expands services countywide

JIGSAW Kerry has announced the expansion of its support services to the entire county of Kerry. Outreach services are being provided in Dingle, Listowel, Castleisland and Caherciveen, whilst services to aid the youth of Killarney/South and the South East will be operational come, November.

Available to those aged 12 25, the support offered is free, youth-friendly and confidential. Qualified mental health professional’s work with young people and their families, to address mild to moderate mental health concerns for up to six sessions. Upon initial engagement with Jigsaw’s clinical staff, one is afforded the opportunity to choose a goal for something they want to work on during the sessions. As with all services, it is not suitable for everyone and in such cases, team members will do their upmost to identify a service that better suits the individual’s needs.

Thus far in 2016, Jigsaw Kerry has engaged with “200 young people, 54% of whom were female and 46% male. Statistics show that 50% of young people who utilised the service were aged between 15 and 19 years old”. In addition, “the top presenting issues are low mood, anxiety/tension/worry and withdrawal from others”, that’s according to Jimmy Mulligan, Project Manager for Jigsaw Kerry.

Its mission, he stated, is to change how Ireland thinks about, and responds to, youth mental health.

Jigsaw represents a new approach to promoting positive youth mental health. Central to that nuance approach, is the services, Youth Advisory Panel - “A group of dedicated young people aged between 16 and 25 years who advise us on what life as a young person in Kerry is like”. That helps to ensure the service remains youth friendly, welcoming and accessible”. Members of the panel also “assist in the development and roll out of awareness raising programmes in relation to Youth mental health and Jigsaw services”. Mr Mulligan explained.

Aside from striving to ensure their services are accessible to all, staff also work on building mental health capacity among those working and volunteering with the counties youth. Emphasis is being placed on liaising with both Schools and Clubs countywide with regard to the role they play in fostering positive the mental health in young people.

Aside from the therapeutic supports on offer, various programmes are also run in an attempt to instigate dialogue between youngsters in relation to mental health. Aimed at adults, coaches and volunteers alike, talks promoting the value of listening are also run by the service.

One can make an appointment with Jigsaw Kerry by calling into their office at Edward Court, Tralee or call (066) 718 6785.

Jimmy Mulligan, Justin Duggan and Tríona Casey of Jigsaw Kerry.