Three members of Roscommon Comhairle na nÓg, Ryan Dolan, Sam Brookes and Ruth Connaughton addressed Members, outlining their ‘Listen Link’ initiative, a pilot project for second-level students to support their mental health and well-being.

Cathaoirleach Cllr J. Keogh welcomed the deputation, saying he had attended the launch of their initiative some weeks previously and was impressed by the group’s project and their passion for it.

Mr. Brookes said Roscommon County Council was one of the first local authorities in the country to invite a Comhairle na nÓg organisation to address Councillors. In the course of his presentation, he stressed the importance of increased awareness young people being supported.

The roll-out and delivery of the project were presented by both Mr. Dolan and Ms. Connaughton who outlined both the benefits of such a service as well as a cost based analysis of their initiative. The estimated cost of providing the service to all 4567 students in the nine second level schools of the county is €37.95 per student or €173k.

Members warmly welcomed the presentation with a number claiming the issues of young person’s mental health often being seen as a taboo subject.

·         It was agreed an appeal for funding would also be made at the HSE West Regional Health Forum.

·         Members said many of the issues were addressed in a previous Planet Youth Survey, which like the presentation, offered clear and viable solutions at a small cost for each student, which would deliver a big difference.

·         Other members accused the Government of insufficient investment in mental health services, claiming increased investment could save young person’s lives.

·         Reference was also made to the production of a magazine by Roscommon Lions Club which featured phone numbers of various mental health helplines.

·         Councillors said an encouraging feature of the initiative was its design as ‘a service for students by students’ and cited an SOS support service, previously set up in Elphin as being a success in reducing local suicides.

·         Members also highlighted the value of early intervention to alleviate potential mental health issues.

·         Members also highlighted the growth trend of cannabis use, which, it was argued, had an adverse impact on young persons’ mental health.

Acknowledging the support and goodwill of Councillors, Ryan Dolan, on behalf of the deputation said the service was a pre-primary care intervention.

·         He said one in three young people are adversely affected by some form of mental health issues. The service would be mandatory, with an appointment given to every second-level student in Co. Roscommon. Confidentiality would be a cornerstone of the project and the Government’s budget for mental health delivery, at €2m, was quite low.

·         There was ‘a vaping crisis’ in the county which was perceived as a mental health release.

Mr. Brookes added that there was a crisis in the delivery of mental health services in the county. He said the ‘Listen Link’ project aimed to ‘nip in the bud’ potential mental health issues from becoming bigger problems, leading to better futures for young people.

The Chief Executive praised this “exemplary group” of young people for their work, whom he had met at the recent Garda Youth Awards, and for bringing these matters to the fore that need to be dealt with.

The group asked the Members for their support in bringing this project to the highest level of Government.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

SECONDED by Cllr. Leyden

It was AGREED to write to the Ministers for Education, Children and Health and the HSE to unanimously support the of the ‘Listen Link’ project and to provide funding for a pilot scheme in the schools in county Roscommon.