Headstrong

Dónal Clancy, General Manager, QUINN-heathcare and Tony Bates, Director of Headstrong with representatives from Headstrong's advisory panel, attending the launch

QUINN-healthcare are proud to support Headstrong, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health. Dónal Clancy, General Manager, QUINN-healthcare, said 'Supporting the healthy development of our young people and their communities is important to QUINN-healthcare. Headstrong is undertaking a significant task in trying to change the service system for the better and we are pleased to be supporting them in any way we can,"' he said.

In March 2009, Headstrong have published a report, Somewhere To Turn To, Someone To Talk To. This major report on young people's mental health and well-being findings show:

Only 38% of young people report being able to cope with the problems they face;
Only 64% report having an adult available to them to talk through their problems regularly;
47% of respondents report having been bullied at some point in their life and,
10% have had serious problems and have not sought professional help.

The report proposes a solution to the current thinking and way of working with young people which will significantly enhance the mental health and well-being of future generations of Irish teenagers.

Headstrong's Jigsaw Programme is an innovative approach to weaving together supports and services in local communities to enhance the mental health and well-being of young people. It is designed to promote services that are more accessible, youth-friendly, integrated and engaging for young people.

The Jigsaw Model - which is currently active in Co Galway and Ballymun - has been developed on the basis of extensive research and consultation with young people, service providers, families and communities throughout Ireland and internationally. Young people and communities have been directly involved in the planning, design and development of the model, which will differ in each community according to need.

The report is supported by QUINN-healthcare which is also sponsoring the development of other new resources by Headstrong. These resources focus on mental health and drug and alcohol issues for young people, parents and those working with young people.