Working Life: My work is a mix of hands-on clinical care and national service development

Dr Amanda Burke, national clinical lead, HSE Child and Youth Mental Health

National Clinical Lead, HSE Child & Youth Mental Health Dr Amanda Burke. Picture: Gareth Chaney

“I was born in Dublin but grew up beside the sea in Co Down. As a child, I was always completely absorbed in hospital dramas, fascinated by the pace, the decisions and, most of all, the people. I’ve always been drawn to human behaviour and to the stories that shape us, so psychiatry felt like a very natural direction for me.

“I studied medicine at Trinity College Dublin. Early in my training, I discovered how much I enjoyed working with young people. Their honesty, resilience, and ability to adapt struck a chord. That connection — and a strong desire to improve services for them — led me towards medical management. Alongside clinical work, I wanted to help build more responsive mental health systems that truly support young people when they need it most.