More than 900 people were referred to Jigsaw’s youth mental health services last year, as the charity is warning of unprecedented pressure.
A double-whammy of lack of funding and increasing demand is contributing to Ireland’s mental health support services being more stretched than ever before Jigsaw has warned.
At the launch of their latest annual report, Jigsaw have highlighted new data that reveals the growing demand for its support.
In 2022, Jigsaw’s community-based services offered their highest ever number of appointments to young people (36,360).
This is in response to a consistent rise in the number of referrals that has seen an almost 70% increase since 2017.
Eoghan MacDomhnaill, Service Manager at Jigsaw Galway and Roscommon, says, “What is clear from our data is that we are working to maximum capacity.”
“In 2022, across our Galway and Roscommon services we had 901 referrals and offered 4,120 appointments. Across Jigsaw’s services we are seeing an increase in demand, and as we seek to grow and offer more support our challenge is to keep up.”
“Worryingly, this is part of a wider trend reflected across Ireland’s mental health support services, and put simply, it is not sustainable”
“Jigsaw is concerned that, at a time when young people already face significant challenges to their mental health, growing pressure on mental health support services means that all too often young people are facing the additional anxiety of increasing wait times with limited support options.”
Dr Joseph Duffy, Chief Executive Officer at Jigsaw added, “If we are to respond to this growing demand, something has to give. The current levels of funding, received from the HSE and the public, are simply not enough to maintain existing levels of service, let alone support expansion into new areas or new locations.”
“Increased funding for youth mental services must be made available in Budget 2024. Without it, our services, already stretched and under-resourced, will become overwhelmed,”
“The past year has highlighted, once again, that mental health services and supports in Ireland are under significant pressure. A shortage of multi-annual funding for mental health is stifling ambition and the development of sustainable solutions that are needed now.”
“At Jigsaw, we are here to make sure that young people get the help and support they need and deserve.”
“So we are urging the government to prioritise investment now to provide the standard of mental health support that our communities and our young people deserve.”
