Ireland Focuses On Youth Mental Health

Today is the world’s official mental health day and emphasis is being placed on the youth mental health 'crisis' in Ireland.

Ireland has the youngest population in Europe with 40% of the population under the age of 25. In relation recent studies have suggested a growing trend of teenage drug abuse, mental health problems and suicides.

Manus Hanratty, Chief Executive of SpunOut.ie National Youth Organisation, has said there is an urgent need to invest in the younger generation.

Mr Hanratty said: "There is a lot of talk about young people being our future. However our youth are now suffering massively from the devastating economic turn-down resulting in cut backs in education, youth unemployment rates of 30%, and up to 1000 people per week emigrating.

"There is a growing feeling of hopelessness which is leading to increasing levels of alcohol and drug abuse, anti-social behaviour, homelessness, mental health problems and suicide."

World Mental Health Day, which aims to raise public awareness about mental health issues, promotes open discussion on mental health and investments in prevention, promotion and services.

This year the theme is "investing in mental health".

SpunOut.ie is one of the country's most popular youth initiatives and reaches over 50,000 users per month, a figure which is rising rapidly.

Despite winning awards including a HSE Achievement Award and an Eircom Golden Spider for Best Charity Website, the organisation says it can be difficult to get the investment required to meet young people's needs.

On October 15th SpunOut.ie is hoping to hear the views of the Presidential candidates on youth mental health and related issues when it hosts 200 young people at the 'Presidential Youth Forum' at Dublin Contemporary 2011.

(LB)