High level of mental health problems for Youthreach students

The national second-chance education system is seeing very high, and increasing levels of emotional, psychological or mental health difficulties among young people. A major piece of research estimates that four in 10 learners at Youthreach have such difficulties.

Staff at Youthreach centres described a change in profile of learners, from one with predominantly disadvantaged backgrounds to one with increasing numbers of mental health difficulties. The study, Evaluation of the National Youthreach Programme, conducted by the ESRI, concluded that while the cost of the programme was relatively high, it represented “value for money” for the State.