This enabled us to use break out spaces to engage the voice of young people and allow for smaller groups, which would then feed into the main group.

Jigsaw analytics show, as of 2022, that approx. 60% of our volunteers have an experience of using services such as Jigsaw or other mental health services in the community. This would tell us that in all probability more than half of the Jigsaw volunteers present would have a lived experience of some mental health difficulties.

All young people have mental health, in the same way as they have physical or mental health, therefore the topic being discussed impact all young people present at the event.

The issues relating to the promotion of mental health affect all young people so again the topics affected all young people present.

Those advocates sat on the steering group that planned all elements of the event such naming it, identifying virtual venue, recruitment, planning for facilitation and many other elements that go into an event like this.

Young people were also used in advertisement videos to support peers in attending.

Given Covid this work was hampered by the virtual nature of the event.

There were Jigsaw Clinicians available to support any young people that felt anxious or if any issues were to come up for them.

After the event, volunteers from the 80 participants joined a further collaborative group to plan how action items might be progressed into 2021.

Given this was a new initiative there was no over promising of impact, or influence as it was unknown and ultimately young people would inform next steps.

Visual minutes (Graphic Recording or Scribing) were used to represent the calls to action.

Graphic harvesting (also known as Graphic Recording, Graphic Facilitation or Scribing) can be used online, or in person. The graphic harvester illustrated the issues discussed at Youth Talk: We Listen in real time. This approach supported the young people to stay connected throughout the event.

The youth facilitators made a list of actions to be fed back to the main event.

Live:

1. More fair, accessible and clear information for young people about mental health, Covid-19 and other issues from the HSE, Department of Education and other bodies.
2. More early intervention “mental health check-ups” for young people before problems become really pronounced.
3. Acknowledge the role of young people in keeping the country going during Covid-19, and not just highlighting those who have not been adhering to restrictions.

Work:

1. Equality of treatment –young people should not be treated as “less than” because of their age, and should receive equal pay for equal work, regardless of being under or over 18.
2. Mental health is health – taking a sick day for mental health should be treated the same as taking sick leave for a physical health issue.

Play:

1. More facilities for young people beyond sport i.e. music, drama, art groups and youth centres.
2. Systems for connecting like-minded people e.g. an online forum where people with different interests can interact and connect.
3. A need to address toxic masculinity.
4. A need to include more minority voices in addressing mental health.

Learn:

1. External counselling services should be available in schools and colleges to give young people access to independent assistance about issues such as what to do after school, career advice etc.
2. There’s a need for more comprehensive ‘change of mind’ support in colleges and a reform of how students access third level, including non-CAO routes
3. Young people need to be made aware of different services in the college, whether counselling or student’s union welfare etc.
4. A need for more mental health training for teachers and other educators – both 2nd and 3rd level on how to treat students and support mental health
5. Different types of learning formats should be used– recorded lectures, different learning styles and support for students who missed out on learning due to Covid-19, lack of broadband or suitable learning space etc.
6. Compulsory mental health and wellbeing classes in schools and an emphasis on PE as a way of improving mental health.

The views captured through the graphic harvesting were compiled into a written report – see full report here.

Notes were taken in each breakout room to document young people’s views, which were also included in the written report

Feedback to this group took the form of in person meetings.

At later stages, we used Slack (a messaging programme) to share updates and to allow an ongoing dialogue between young people in the collaborative group and decision makers.

The young people on the collaborative group decided to ask the HSE to include an action in the Mental Health Promotion Plan stating that “the HSE will create opportunities to ensure that the voices of children and young people are heard in the development of mental health and wellbeing initiatives”.

This action will be led by statutory and non-statutory agencies and will ensure young people’s voices are central, to a host of projects across the lifetime of this plan 2022 – 27.

Feedback was provided on a continuous basis on actions related to their voice and opinions, so they understood at all stages what was happening to their views.

Further to this they received an update on the next steps and offering them to join the collaborative was being created.

A further email was sent sharing the final outcome to all original participants with regards to the action in the HSE Mental Health Promotion Plan.

Regular evaluations were done with the young people in the collaborative group.

“It was difficult to get everyone’s opinion shared in such a short time frame”

“Might have been nicer to have slightly longer to really talk about stuff!”.

This feedback was taken into account and greater time afforded to break out room discussion at later meetings.

Near the end of the collaborative group process and closing of the project one young person noted: “It was an honour to be part of the collaborative, and I look forward to what we decide to organise going forward”, in reference to the plans within the HSE Mental Health Promotion Plan.