Mindspace Mayo marks decade of supporting young people in the county

Mindspace Mayo this week marks a decade of supporting young people in Mayo.

To date, the service has supported over 5,000 young people aged between 12 and 25 with free, confidential mental health support, and is looking toward the future as young people continue to navigate the evolving challenges of growing up in Mayo.

On Friday, February 21, from 10 to 11am, the service will open its doors in Castlebar to the public for a celebratory coffee morning. An independent evaluation of the service, conducted by the University of Galway will be also launched. The event will take place from 10-11.30am in the Mindspace Mayo office, F23 Y427.

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Mindspace Project Manager Peadar Gardiner said: “As we celebrate ten years of Mindspace Mayo, we reflect on the mission that led to its creation – to provide a safe, supportive space for young people in County Mayo to support their mental health. From the beginning, our goal has been to offer more than just services, but a community where young people can feel heard, valued, and empowered to seek help.”

In 2015, Mindspace Mayo was formed as a result of a collaboration between agencies including the HSE, Mental Health Ireland and other community-based voluntary bodies. Evidence based research has identified that 75% of mental health issues appear before the age of 25. Considering this fact, early intervention has never been more relevant, and Mindspace Mayo is that early intervention.

It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service for young people aged 12–25 based in County Mayo. Mindspace is free of charge for young people to access and the service is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.

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The Mindspace hub on Market Square, Castlebar along with outreach services in Erris and Ballina provide a welcoming space for young people to get information or have a chat one–to-one with a clinical support worker without judgement.

Young people present with many different issues including stress, anxiety, relationship and sexuality issues, bullying, alcohol or drug use, parental separation or grief, and no issue is too small for which to seek help. Referrals can be made by young people themselves, or parents, guardians, schools, GPs, youth groups or even friends.

Peadar Gardiner continued: “We're incredibly proud of the impact we've had over the past decade and remain committed to supporting the mental well-being of future generations. The environment in which we deliver services plays a crucial role in defining how we value and respect young people, and the Mindspace building sets a positive welcoming environment for any young person to attend.”

Central to the development of the Mindspace service has been its youth panel, which acts as a representative voice for young people throughout Mayo. As well as assisting with the decision-making processes within the service, the youth panel plays an active role in representing Mindspace at a community level.

Mindspace Mayo opens Monday-Thursday from 9am to 5pm, and on Fridays from 9am to 3pm. Young people or their parents seeking support are encouraged to contact Mindspace by calling 094 9067001, or filling out the appointment form on www.mindspacemayo.ie.#