Background: Young people from marginalised backgrounds experience heightened risk of mental health difficulties, yet are often less likely to receive support from mental health services. Sharing the Vision [1], Ireland’s national mental health policy, calls for more inclusive, culturally sensitive, and equitable youth mental health services. However, there is limited understanding of how multiple forms of marginalisation combine within individuals and relate to mental health needs and service access. It remains unclear what the profiles of marginalisation are among young people in the community with identified mental health needs. Similarly, it is not well understood what the profiles of young people referred to Jigsaw services in Ireland are, and how these profiles relate to service access.
Aims: This research aims to:
1) Identify distinct profiles of marginalisation among young people who are i) experiencing clinically significant mental health difficulties in the community, and ii) referred to Jigsaw services.
2) Examine how these profiles relate to mental health needs in both i) community and ii) service-engaged youth.
Methods: We will conduct secondary analyses of data using My World Survey-2 and Jigsaw-Iaptus datasets. Latent Class Analysis will identify distinct profiles of marginalisation, followed by regression modelling to examine associations with mental health outcomes and service access. Through Public and Patient Involvement (PPI), young people and caregivers will help label the profiles and interpret similarities and differences between profiles of marginalisation. A co design workshop with healthcare professionals will support development of a lay-friendly report of findings. Policy-engaged events, co-hosted with Mental Health Reform, will generate a shared list of priorities for equity-focused research, policy, and practice.
Implications: This project represents the first national effort to compare profiles of marginalisation across community and service settings in Ireland. Findings will inform more inclusive, equitable, and effective YMH services and directly support national policy objectives.