Jigsaw sees 23% surge in demand as youth mental health waiting lists grow

Cork has seen longer waiting times to access Jigsaw services.

Mental health service for young people Jigsaw saw a 23% yearly rise in numbers, with some counties including Cork and Galway seeing longer waiting times as a result.

Director of services Sarah Cullinane described this as a “really, really significant” jump, with smaller, often rural services more challenged. 

The housing crisis has played a role in the high numbers, and she said young adults reported “they’re not able to launch their lives".

In Cork, waiting times hit 10 weeks in March before dropping to seven by December, with 125 people waiting. 

The wait in Kerry by December was four weeks, down from nine in March, with 21 people waiting. 

In Galway, waits were also 12 weeks in March, and seven by December. Some 116 people were waiting.

In Tipperary, it was a five-week wait in December, having been down to one week in September. The Limerick figures showed a five-week wait last month, down from eight in March.

In contrast, Dublin Southwest cut waits from 12 weeks in March to one week in September and December. 

Jigsaw’s online service had a typical wait of two to three weeks, data released to Sinn Féin TD for Kerry Pa Daly showed. 

Ms Cullinane said: “On a national level between 2024 and 2025, we saw a 23% increase in referrals. It’s really, really significant.” 

Despite this, 83% of people were seen within a month during the second-half of last year compared to 40% during 2024. 

“We know if a young person waits more than two months to see us, data tells us their chances of having a positive outcome are reduced,” she said.

She also raised staffing challenges, saying: “In some of the more rural settings, it can be harder. There are times when you go to recruit, and you don’t get anybody.” 

It can be easier in Dublin, but “the turnover is quite high”, she said, noting staff often leave for better-paid HSE roles.

This "competing with the system for staff" remains despite “some success” last year when a pay deal was negotiated for many HSE-funded bodies.

Jigsaw received “very welcome” budget funding to open a centre in Waterford and expand to Ennis.

However, she said: “What we didn’t get, and is a real struggle in health funding generally, is additional funding for services that already exist.” 

Mr Daly said: "The evidence is clear. Early intervention works, but it needs real backing from this Government. There is a crisis in youth mental health right now, right through from primary care to the specialist services of Camhs.” 

He called for investment, saying: “The demands on Jigsaw are growing when they are already stretched incredibly thin. Too many teams are understaffed, and too many young people still face delays.” 

Sinn Féin brought forward a private members' bill on Tuesday on the crisis in mental health services. Mr Daly pointed out 11 counties, including Kerry, do not have suicide crisis assessment nurses.

On Wednesday, Jigsaw, Spunout, and Families for Reform of Camhs are before the Oireachtas Health Committee.