There is evidence that the prevalence of mental health problems among young people is rising; a trend that is likely to be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. At national policy level, adolescents have been identified as a priority group for prevention strategies, but more research is needed to understand what places young people at-risk and to identify the factors that can mitigate this risk. This information is needed to inform service/policy provision and promote greater mental well-being in Ireland.
This project, a collaboration among stakeholders in research, policy and practice, seeks to expand current knowledge by examining trends in the mental well-being and suicidal ideation of adolescents in Ireland. The research aims to inform service provision and policy relating to mental well-being/suicide prevention by identifying the adolescents who are most at-risk of experiencing poor mental well-being/suicidal ideation; generating greater understanding about the factors that place adolescents at-risk; examining the factors that buffer or protect against this risk; and exploring the stability of these relationships across three adolescent cohorts (sampled in 2018, 2020 and 2022). From a policy perspective, this research will help inform a youth specific response to suicide prevention in Ireland.
This research will employ a population-based cohort design. Secondary data analyses will be conducted on three Planet Youth datasets, which collects cross-sectional data from approximately 5,000 adolescents living in the west of Ireland in 2018, 2020 and 2022 (upcoming). A combination of advanced statistical analyses (such as Latent Profile/Cluster Analysis and Multi-Level Modelling) will be used to answer the research questions. Public and Patient involvement, via a Youth Advisory Panel will inform the design, delivery and dissemination of the study. A comprehensive Knowledge Translation (KT) Plan will be devised to ensure that the evidence generated will reach relevant stakeholders and maximise impact on policy and practice.
