Teenagers Help Identify Mental Health Issues

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews T.D., and Minister for Disability and Mental Health, John Moloney T.D., launched 'Teenage Mental Health: What Helps and What Hurts? A Report of consultations with teenagers' on Monday.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Andrews said, "I am committed to ensuring that children and young people have a voice in matters that affect their lives, as stated in the National Children's Strategy (2000). The recently published Ryan Commission Report highlights the importance of listening to children and of providing them with opportunities to communicate their concerns and problems."

Minister Andrews noted that the report outlines the views of 277 teenagers aged 12-18 years, who took part in consultations organised by his Office during October 2008. "Young people report the negative impact of being judged on how they look and the level of bullying that has become an everyday part of life, particularly in the school setting. Other aspects of their education are identified as damaging to their mental health, but also as having the potential to promote positive mental health," he continued. Minister Andrews added, "the findings of this report will challenge policy makers, decision makers, service providers and practitioners far and beyond those working in the field of mental health. The education system, schools, local government, the media, parents, family members and young people themselves are all identified as having an important role to play in supporting positive mental health."

Minister Moloney stated, "I want us to break the taboo, which still surrounds mental illness and empower people with mental health problems. The fact that our teenagers are comfortable to talk about what helps or hurts their mental health gives me considerable hope that the tide is turning on the stigma associated with mental health and mental illness. The National Office for Suicide Prevention is spearheading a campaign aimed at teenagers to raise awareness of mental health issues. Our priority is to create an environment where young people who may have mental health difficulties feel comfortable and able to seek help from family, friends or health professionals."

Six teenagers, who took part in the consultations at different locations around the country, outlined the outcomes from the consultations described in the report. Maggie Gethings from Dublin said, "at the consultations, we discovered that, unlike adults, we teenagers don't only see mental health in a negative way, but also in a positive light."

Teenagers identified eight key areas that hurt their mental health, self-image, school pressure and exams, family problems, bullying, death, peer-pressure, relationships with boyfriends and girlfriends and isolation.

The teenagers also identified many things that could help with problems in the areas of exams, facilities and supports, relationships, family and self-image. "Adults need to realise that teenagers can hurt as badly as adults, especially on issues such as death and relationships. Teenagers' feelings need to be taken seriously," concluded Maggie.