By Michelle Crean 

There was full attendance at the KDYS in Fairhill on Thursday during a discussion on youth mental heath in Ireland. 

ADVOCATE: Senator Tom Clonan who has campaigned against gender discrimination sexual violence against women and is an advocate for children and young people with disabilities pictured at the KDYS Killarney to discuss youth mental health in Ireland for the Kerry Mental Health and Well-being Festival. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

DISCUSSION: Dr Brigid Quilligan Manager of Kerry Travellers Health and Community Development Project and spokesperson for the Traveller community pictured at the KDYS Killarney to discuss youth mental health in Ireland for Kerry Mental Health and Well-being Festival. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

FULL HOUSE: A full house at KDYS Killarney for a talk on youth mental health in Ireland for Kerry Mental Health and Well-being Festival on Thursday. Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

EXPERT PANEL: CEO of KDYS Berni Smyth (left) welcomes an expert panel to KDYS Killarney for the Kerry Mental Health and Well-being Festival. From l-r were: Senator Tom Clonan who has campaigned against gender discrimination sexual violence against women and is an advocate for children and young people with disabilities Ian O’Connell who is an inspirational young person and presenter on Radio Kerry Dr Brigid Quilligan (Manager of Kerry Travellers Health and Community Development Project and spokesperson for the Traveller community) and Roisin Clarke (CEO of Mental Health Reform Ireland). Photo: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan

It was hosted by the KDYS and included and expert panel including Roisin Clarke CEO of Mental Health Reform Ireland; Senator Tom Clonan who has campaigned against gender discrimination, sexual violence against women and is an advocate for children and young people with disabilities, Dr Brigid Quilligan, Manager of Kerry Travellers Health and Community Development Project and spokesperson for the Traveller community, Ian O’Connell, well known Killarney native, inspirational young person and presenter on Radio Kerry.

‘Spotlight on Youth Mental Health – Living Without Limits’ was part of the Kerry Mental Health and Well-being Festival, according to Berni Smyth, CEO of KDYS.

Berni opened the discussion by describing the panel as ‘fearless leaders who have faced personal adversity, challenged stereotypes, questioned societal norms and shone a light on injustice’.

"The panel spoke about the current challenges and opportunities in Ireland to support youth mental health to a packed audience of young people, KDYS partner organisations, KDYS staff and volunteers and members of the public," she explained. 

"The panel talked about their individual motivations for speaking out on behalf of others, the importance of being honest about our own mental health and creating safe spaces for young people to express themselves."

Roisin Clarke, CEO of Mental Health Reform Ireland referred to the commitment of an additional €72.8 million to mental health services in Budget 2023 and reform of the Mental Health Act 2001. Critically, the appointment of a dedicated HSE youth mental health lead role will assist with the governance and oversight of mental health services for young people and will ensure that the role of the voluntary community sector in supporting youth mental health is recognised.

Dr Brigid Quilligan explained that there is still a stigma within some parts of the Traveller community to open up about mental health. Ian O’Connell and Senator Clonan agreed that it can be particularly challenging for men to admit they need support with mental health and said that using their platform on this issue had given other men permission to admit they need support. Ian emphasised the importance of ‘reaching out when you need to’.

"The session ended with questions and comments from the audience. Seamus Whitty, Youth Development Officer from KETB, reflected on how powerful the simplest exchange between a supportive adult and young person can be."

Berni thanked the panellists for their contribution to a ‘thought-provoking and hopeful’ morning and asked the audience to continue to lobby local politicians and ministers to review the disappointing 1.6% allocation to youth work in the recent budget.