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Description and outcome evaluation of Jigsaw: an emergent Irish mental health early intervention programme for young people

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 January 2015

L. O’Keeffe ,
A. O’Reilly ,
G. O’Brien ,
R. Buckley  and
R. Illback
L. O’Keeffe*
Affiliation:
Planning and Evaluation Officer, Headstrong: The National Centre for Youth Mental Health, Dublin, Ireland
A. O’Reilly
Affiliation:
Education and Training Officer, Headstrong: The National Centre for Youth Mental Health, Dublin, Ireland
G. O’Brien
Affiliation:
Director of Clinical Governance, Headstrong: The National Centre for Youth Mental Health, Dublin, Ireland
R. Buckley
Affiliation:
Director of Quality Assurance, Headstrong: The National Centre for Youth Mental Health, Dublin, Ireland
R. Illback
Affiliation:
CEO and Senior Evaluation Researcher at REACH Evaluation, Louisville, Kentucky, and Deputy CEO, Headstrong, Dublin, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: L. O’Keeffe, PhD, Headstrong: The National Centre for Youth Mental Health, 16 Westland Square, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Objectives

Jigsaw is an early intervention mental health service developed by Headstrong which provides support to young people, aged 12–25 years, in 10 communities across Ireland. This study aimed to profile young people who availed of Jigsaw, in one calendar year, and to provide evidence that Jigsaw’s model facilitates the reduction of psychological distress.

Methods

Participants were 2420 young people who received support, directly or indirectly, from Jigsaw. Demographic details, including age, gender, presenting issues and referral pathways, captured on the Jigsaw Data System were described and psychological distress was assessed using the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE) questionnaires.

Results

A gender balance was almost observed and the majority of participants were between 15 and 17 years old. The most common presenting issue was anxiety and the most common referral sources were self, parent, general practitioner, school and Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS). Participants reported high levels of psychological distress pre-intervention and levels were significantly lower post intervention.

Conclusions

Although a lack of control group limits interpretation of the study findings, this study provides emerging evidence that Jigsaw is an accessible and effective service which plays a key role in the continuum of mental health care for young people in Ireland.

Keywords

Community servicesearly interventionyouth mental health
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 32 , Issue 1: Special Issue: Youth Mental Health , March 2015 , pp. 71 - 77
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2015 

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