Isolation top mental health risk, say teens

YOUNG people believe isolation is the biggest threat to mental health and cite drink, drugs and peer pressure as the main problems they face as teenagers.

The findings are contained in a survey launched to mark the start of the HSE’s Let Someone Know campaign, aimed at encouraging young people to confide in others over mental health issues.

The campaign is backed by a new website – www.letsomeoneknow.ie – and television advertisements which began screening last weekend. Billboard advertisements will follow.

The findings of the Millward Browne Lansdowne survey of 505 young people were launched yesterday by the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP).

Among the findings were:

* 89% of young people access the internet at least once a week, and 45% do so daily, with almost two-thirds accessing the internet on a family computer or laptop.

* Websites such as eBuddy (89%), Bebo (75%) and YouTube (53%) were the most popular websites, but 41% said these social networking sites were not helpful in dealing with mental health issues.

* Although the majority of teenagers were aware of sites for the Samaritans or Childline, few had visited them.

* More than half of all surveyed said adults did not understand what it is like to be a teenager.

* Alcohol, drugs and peer pressure were listed as the biggest problems faced by teenagers, at 34%. These were followed by bullying and exam pressure, while a good family life and school life were listed as the top two influences regarding mental health.

Talking to a friend, relative or young person was deemed to be a more helpful option than speaking to a community worker, doctor or teacher by most of those surveyed.

Getting out and about was viewed as a more positive course of action regarding positive metal health than seeking therapy.

However, the research found that in some cases it needs to be “made OK” to ask for help from a friend or peer.

The campaign is the culmination of a lengthy period of consultation with young people’s groups such as Dáil na nÓg. The new Let Someone Know website has received more than 700 hits since last Saturday.

The director of the NOSP Geoff Day speaking about the idea behind the campaign said: “It is very much about trying to encourage young people to talk about the things that worry them – not just to talk to anybody but to find somebody they trust.

Ireland has the fourth highest rate of youth suicide in the EU, as well as high rates of self harm.