jigsaw

Four steps to make your school or organisation a place which supports young people's mental health and well being.

Be ‘youth friendly’

Very often this means friendly for everyone else too. It can mean taking small steps like ensuring a young person will always get a welcome when they walk through the door. At the heart of a youth-friendly organisation is the belief that young people should be treated with respect and dignity.

Youth friendly organisations listen to young people’s views about how the service could be improved and they act to implement those improvements where possible.

Promote confidentiality and sensitivity

Having created a welcoming environment with the support and advice of young people, it is important to establish a culture of confidentiality and sensitivity.

One of the reasons young people may hold back about talking through their concerns is the fear that their problems will become the office gossip, or prejudice people against them.

Young people need to be assured that anything they share will be treated with sensitivity. Remember though, that under Child Protection guidelines you cannot promise not to act on information if you think the young person is in danger. See our responding to a young person page for more ideas.

Develop your mental health awareness

Mid teens to mid twenties is the age range where underlying mental health issues are likely to emerge. So it is important that people working with young people are open to spotting a problem. 

Use the directory on the Headstrong website to research issues which may concern you. - for example, the impact of cannabis use on mental health, eating disorders, or how to manage stress.

If there is a Jigsaw project near you, (see above), they may offer mental health awareness training, or other support to organisations like yours.

Identify local support and develop relationships

Every community will have some resources to help young people through a tough time. Taking time to find out about them, and develop co-operative links will pay off for your organisation and your community.

Working together means that fewer young people will get lost in the system, and simplifies making referrals. Developing links with the local GPs, primary health care team, local support groups and other youth services may prove to be vital if you ever need to support a young person in crisis.

You may also be able to connect with your local Jigsaw project. Jigsaw projects in Kerry and Meath are undertaking specific work in schools to develop a whole school approach to mental health and well being.