The mental health of teenagers and young people (aged 12-20) has reached crisis point in Ireland. The limited evidence available points to high rates of teenage self-harm and suicide attempts, and a healthcare service that struggles to meet the increasing demands. At the core of every public health crisis is reliable data illustrating the extent of the problem. However, we do not have recent population-wide data on mental health of young people in Ireland. To address this gap in knowledge, I propose to use recently collected survey data to find out how common mental health problems are among young people and how things have changed since 2018. What contributes to mental health problems in young people today? I will use different types of data to answer this question, from large-scale surveys, to small-scale focus groups aimed at understanding perspectives of those with experience of youth mental health problems. Sharing my research findings with the public will be a top priority, and will be achieved via press releases, social media posting, and policy briefings. The goal is to reach policymakers and government to effect sustained change. Information evenings in specific communities across the North East of Ireland will be organised to boost awareness among parents and schools about mental health issues among adolescents, and the available mental health supports in these areas. I propose to develop my skillset through a bespoke training programme at King’s College London and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Specifically, I will improve my skills in public communication; data analysis; involving the public in research; and bridging the gap between research and public health policy. The proposed research will have real impacts on the youth mental health crisis by providing key facts; by making data available to other researchers; and by boosting public awareness.
