This article aims to contribute to the momentum behind calls for increased recognition from prospective government representatives regarding the importance of advocating for the mental health and emotional wellbeing of youth in Ireland in 2016. The goal of providing a brief international perspective is to reaffirm the many positive suggestions of practical steps that can be made to improve service provision, and to convey the enormous potential and positive effects these services can have for young people experiencing Mental Health challenges.
I spent my first six months in the field here in Canada working as a Youth Worker in an open-custody youth detention center, followed by my current position employed as a Clinical Counsellor for children and adolescents. To remove barriers to service, we meet with young people and their families where it is most convenient, including either in their homes or in the community. I also provide counselling in a local high school during a weekly ‘drop-in’ service for students identified as in need of emotional support, stress management, or simply just a non-judgemental space to have someone to talk to.
Overall we work with young people experiencing a wide range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, self-harm, anger and behavioural issues, and aim to provide a supportive approach that often involves techniques such as talk therapy, emotional regulation, mindfulness, life skills development, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or individualised creative approaches to meet their specific needs and skills.
This experience to date has helped me gain an understanding of the many similarities and emotional challenges that can exist for young people across a variety of different cultural or socio-economic backgrounds, whether it is in Ireland or Canada. Many government-funded programs such as this in Canada are entirely free with an emphasis on a preventative and community-based approach to most effectively meet the needs of this population through strengths-based interventions. The young people can refer themselves by phoning and booking an appointment, or else avail of various ‘walk-in’ counselling clinics to receive support before issues escalate. These timely and cost effective services help bridge a gap by avoiding long waiting lists (or the requirement of a professional referral) and provide support to help build skills and coping strategies. Could this be a model that has potential for growth in Ireland?
Unfortunately in Ireland, the support for existing services or the accessibility of school-based and ‘walk-in’ programs do not operate to the same extent, nor does sufficient funding to implement the many progressive strategies that continue to be suggested by those working in the field, and also crucially from those with their own experience of mental health challenges. During the run-up to the general election, there was a growing sense of urgency to improve the inadequacy of the current system and increase efforts to address this very relevant issue. Therefore, a greater validation at government level would provide a unique opportunity to respond proactively to repeated calls for systemic change moving forward.
My previous work in Ireland showed me first-hand the extraordinary work of the resilient workers employed (or volunteering) within the many incredible community initiatives on the frontline. Considering that these crucial services are often chronically under resourced and under funded, it would be strongly beneficial if the government further recognised their integral importance and the wide range of implications they have directly for the well-being of young people across the country. An increased realisation of these specific benefits should act as an appropriate motivator to elected representatives to validate the message being asserted, firstly by committing to increase funding and provide a more concentrated response to support many vulnerable members of Irish society.
Although the Canadian system is still developing, it is clear that progress in supporting Mental Health has come through a combined approach of reducing stigma, and increasing access to services. This has helped young people to view accessing support more as a sign of strength as opposed to weakness; a perpetuated misconception that we know has traditionally prevailed for too long in our socio-cultural mind-set in Ireland. In this sense, it is essential not only to reduce the stigma that still surrounds mental health in Ireland, but ultimately eradicate it and instil a valid perception in young people’s minds that it’s okay to reach out when struggling, and they can feel confident that suitable and ‘youth-friendly’ supports are easily accessible to encourage, re-affirm and validate this crucial message.
We know the ‘tide is turning’ for the better in Ireland with regards to a more progressive understanding of mental health. This has been evidenced by an increase in the discussions in the media and popular discourse, and is the direct result of the many constructive community based initiatives and mainstream conversations regarding an enthusiasm to combat the stigma, finally address our Mental Health needs and confront its associated stereotypes. It is therefore important that this message is now further reflected at government level, by a commitment to increase funding and accepting responsibility to provide more practical resources for preventative Mental Health supports in schools and the community.
Through my job I have had the opportunity to do outreach to local schools to promote access to the various mental health supports in Toronto. Many students have confidently expressed how their own experience of counselling has helped themselves or their friends deal with emotional challenges in school or at home. This led me to reflect on how the education system in Ireland has so much potential to progress in terms of instilling this mindset in young people at an early age, and the importance of finding creative and specific supports to help a young person overcome barriers toward reaching their potential.
In contrast to Ireland, a large number of social workers are employed by the district school-boards in Canada. They play a pivotal role within an educational system that therefore has a greater understanding that a student’s academic life can be directly impacted by a wide range of non-academic factors. Considering school as a primary access point for youth, these social workers also support teachers to identify the signs of emerging concerns. This indicates a more valued understanding at policy level regarding the needs of young people in education to receive emotional support to navigate through tough times in their personal life. This ultimately has been shown to transpire to positive outcomes for students, by normalising difficulties and thus reducing the stigma attached to engaging with the more readily available supports.
It is clear this message must continue to be echoed by exploring multi-faceted solutions and practical approaches that can hopefully convince decision makers to finally commit to increase funding and implement the strengthening of mental health service provision in Ireland, specifically in terms of accessibility, visibility and priority afforded to young people requiring support. There certainly is the potential to do so much more. These programs are worth it. They are proven to work. The results speak for themselves.