merrion street

Minister of State for Mental Health, Jim Daly TD, today presented an Investing in Children Award to young people on a Youth Advisory Panel of the Limerick Youth Service (LYS).
Investing in Children is a UK initiative that promotes the human rights of young people and it is presented to organisations that demonstrate dialogue with young people that leads to change.
In addition to meeting members of LYS’ Mental Health Youth Advisory Panel, Minister Daly launched a video called ‘What is Counselling,’ which was created by the Youth Advisory Panel as part of the drive to change young people’s attitudes to mental health.
The film’s aim is to make people feel more comfortable asking for and attending counselling.
The Minister also launched a brochure titled YouthLinks Limerick. YouthLinks Limerick is a joint collaboration between LYS, Jigsaw and Limerick Social Service’s Centre that highlights the services provided by the three organisations.
Speaking at the event, Minister Daly thanked the organisers for their invitation and said:
"Mental health is a cross cutting issue that is deeply entrenched in every aspect of Irish society, and is an issue that is especially important to young people.
Recently, the 2019 HSE Mental Health Budget was announced with a total figure of almost €1 billion, an increase of 40% on 2012. This investment underlines the Government’s ongoing commitment to improving all aspects of mental health services in Ireland in order to meet current and anticipated needs".
Minister Daly referred to various initiatives regarding Youth Mental Health that have occurred within the Department of Health over the last year, including the publication of the Report of the National Taskforce on Youth Mental Health, the developments that have stemmed from that, and his priority to advance new measures to develop e-mental health and digital technology services.