- Jigsaw is an Irish mental health program that provides early intervention support to young people ages 12-25. - Data shows that Jigsaw has supported a large number of young people across age ranges and gender, especially ages 16-18. - Young people present with significant mental health issues like anxiety, low mood, and anger. - Outcomes from Jigsaw interventions exceed expectations, with young people experiencing reduced distress after receiving support. - Jigsaw is becoming an important part of Ireland's system for providing youth-friendly mental health services and supports in the community.

1. YOUNG PEOPLE’S
HEALTH IN MIND
DR TONY BATES
FOUNDER & CEO

2. 2006

5. “ … should intervene early
when problems develop ...
providers should work in
partnership with service
users and their families
and facilitate recovery
through the provision of
accessible, comprehensive
and community-based
mental health” services.”
(1.5 p. 14)

6. Person-based rate of deliberate
self-harm by age and gender in 2006
© National Suicide Research Foundation 2008

7. Source: National Office for Suicide Prevention

8. 8

11. “The biggest problem
for young people
is mental health
and yet there is
nothing out there,
there is just this
huge gap in the system,”
Emma, age 21

12. 12
“...The thousands of teenagers who are
somehow managing to live their lives
while secretly disintegrating, wishing for
oblivion.
They keep on keeping on, wondering if it
is only at the edge of the cliff that the
crowds appear with nets.”
Sarah Hayden, Aged 19

13. 13

15. A Systemic
Approach to
Change
TheCommunity
Informal Supports
Neighbours &
Neighbourhood
Youth Serving
Systems
Family & Friends
Relatives
Young people engaged at
every level of the organisation
and empowered to speak on
their own behalf.

20. A Systemic
Approach to
Change
National database profiling youth
mental health in Ireland. (My World)
Real-time data management system
for every young person served
TheCommunity
Informal Supports
Neighbours &
Neighbourhood
Youth Serving
Systems
Family & Friends
Relatives
Young people engaged at
every level of the organisation
and empowered to speak on
their own behalf.

21. A nationally
representative
sample of 14,500
young people (12-
25) years living in
Ireland

22. Young people
who
seek help
enjoy better
mental health

23. PRESENCE OF ONE GOOD ADULT was a key
indicator of how well a young person is
connected, self-confident, future looking and
can cope with problems
ABSENCE OF ONE GOOD ADULT was linked to
higher levels of distress, anti- social behaviour
and increased risk for suicidal behaviour
©Headstrong, 2012

24. St Peter’s identified male mental
health as a cause for concern in
September 2015. One of the
community representatives who
sits on the Jigsaw School Team
runs the local ‘Men's Shed’. With
his guidance, Pat, the woodwork
instructor set up a 'pool room'
that acts as the school's own
version of a ‘Men's Shed’.

27. A Systemic
Approach to
Change
National database profiling youth
mental health in Ireland. (My World)
Real-time data management system
for every young person served
Youth friendly, accessible and
effective systems of care for
young people in the
community
TheCommunity
Informal Supports
Neighbours &
Neighbourhood
Youth Serving
Systems
Family & Friends
Relatives
Young people engaged at
every level of the organisation
and empowered to speak on
their own behalf.

28. Young people told us
they want
somewhere to turn to,
someone to talk to…
someone who
would LISTEN
& allow them to
‘go at their own pace’.
What kind of support do young people want?

30. MEATH

31. GALWAY

32. DONEGAL

34. System
Strengthening
Direct Support to Young
People
Community
Awareness &
Education

35. 35
Does it work?

40. TOP 10 PRESENTING ISSUES
1. Anxiety is the top presenting issue for all service categories.
2. Low mood is the second highest issue for all service categories.
3. Anger is the third highest issue for all service categories.

41. 47.1% Brief Interventions
18.1% Brief Contacts
34.8% Individual Case Consultations

42. Non-clinical
Clinical
O’Keeffe, L., O’Reilly, A., O’Brien, G., Buckley, R., & Illback, R. (2015). Description and
Outcome Evaluation of Jigsaw: An Emergent Irish Mental Health Early Intervention
Programme for Young People. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 32(1), 1-7.

43. LEVELS OF DISTRESS BEFORE & AFTER JIGSAW INTERVENTION
0
10
20
30
40
50
Healthy Low Mild Moderate Moderate-Severe Severe
Before
After
Healthy Low Mild Moderate Moderate
Severe
Severe

44. Findings from Jigsaw Collaboration Surveys

46. As a YOUNG PERSON
I will be able to…
• look after my mental
health
• get support in
settings where I feel
safe and comfortable
• get the support I
need, when I need it
As SOMEONE
WORKING WITH
young people i will…
• feel more confident
in responding to
those in distress
• have easy access to
early intervention
services, whom I
know and trust
• work creatively with
other agencies
As a COMMUNITY
we will…
• begin to talk about
“our young people”
• Understand how we
all can support a
young person’s
mental health
• Feel confident to
listen to a young
person in distress
• know how to access
professional help

47. “ … should intervene early
when problems develop ...
providers should work in
partnership with service
users and their families
and facilitate recovery
through the provision of
accessible, comprehensive
and community-based
mental health” services.”
(1.5 p. 14)

48. • Jigsaw has supported a significant of young
people, across age ranges and gender (esp. 16-
18)
• Jigsaw validates hypothesis that young people will
access support at high rates when designed in
youth friendly manner
• Young people present with significant and
complex developmental & mental health issues
• Outcomes are in excess of expectations
• Jigsaw is emerging as a significant and integrative
component of the system of mental health
services and supports