JIGSAW Kerry celebrated the relaunch of its primary hub in Tralee on Monday.

The event at Edward Court was hosted by the Jigsaw Kerry team and their Youth Advisory Panel. Also in attendance was CEO of Jigsaw (The National Centre for Youth Mental Health), Dr. Joseph Duffy.

Joseph opened proceedings by thanking young people, parents and professionals for trusting Jigsaw Kerry to support young people and for playing a pivotal role in building the service.

The event was attended by Youth Advisory Panel members, their families, partner agencies from the statutory and community and voluntary sectors and the growing body of supporters of the service.

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The focus of the event was on sharing the story of Jigsaw Kerry so far, and to raise awareness of the service across county Kerry.

Katie Corrigan spoke on behalf of the Jigsaw Kerry Youth Advisory Panel, while Dr. Olive Moloney (Clinical Coordinator) spoke on behalf of the Jigsaw Kerry team.

Jigsaw Kerry – which is part of the National Centre for Youth Mental Health and one of 13 Jigsaw Hubs nationwide – has, thus far, supported over 1,800 young people in Kerry between the ages of 12-25.

Jigsaw Kerry provides brief, goal-focused therapeutic intervention lasting up to 8 sessions. It is a free and confidential mental health support service.

Jigsaw works with young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health distress such as relationship & interpersonal issues (e.g. bullying, family conflict), worry and stress (e.g. money, school, social), loss, change and transitions (e.g. bereavement, role, school), low mood & low self-worth (e.g. body image), strong emotional reactions (e.g. anger).

Since January 2017, Jigsaw has provided over 1,900 sessions to young people from its bases in Tralee, Killarney, Listowel, Cahersiveen, Castleisland and Dingle.

If you are concerned about a young person or indeed if you are a young person going through some difficult times please call Jigsaw Kerry on 066 71 86785 or send an email to kerry@jigsaw.ie.

Jigsaw Kerry are currently recruiting Youth Advisory Panel members, so if you are between the ages of 16 & 25 and would like to support Jigsaw in their efforts change the way Ireland views mental health then contact Donagh Hennebry by email, donagh.hennebry@jigsaw.ie,  for more information. Donagh is particularly interested in hearing from young people in minority groups in County Kerry.