This year we were needed more than ever

Thousands more young people are seeking mental health support in the wake of Covid and the cost-of-living crisis. You may have seen that we recently launched our Annual Report 2021, and what this past year has highlighted is that mental health services and supports in Ireland are under significant pressure.  

In light of the publication of the Budget 2023, where the overall percentage of mental health funding spend has been reduced to just 5.1% of the overall health budget, this pressure will continue into 2023. 

In 2021 we offered more appointments than ever to young people, while also receiving our highest ever number of referrals. Referrals to our community-based services were up by 24% and there has been a 54% increase of appointments offered. We have also seen a 104% increase in demand for online Live Chat service and a 144% increase in demand for email support. 

In response to this increased demand, we looked at new ways to offer mental health support by  

• Welcoming 293,416 people to Jigsaw.ie for information, advice, live chat and more 
• Offering 35,453 appointments to young people across our Jigsaw services 
• Training 14,985 participants who took part in our workshops and training courses 
• Helping 69 schools across Ireland complete One Good School, our mental health initiative for post-primary schools. 

We did not do this on our own, however. We can only meet these ever-growing demands with the help of caring people, just like you.   

Your ongoing support and commitment means we can continue to develop and provide the mental health services our young people deserve.    

Thank you.  

Eve from Jigsaw