Anxiety is a key concern for Ireland’s teen boys and girls

Anxiety and anger are the two most common mental health issues faced by young people in Ireland today, according to a new study. More than 10,000 young people attended the Jigsaw mental health service between 2009 and 2015. The study, published in the Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine shows that boys commonly reported feelings of anger, anxiety and family problems, while girls were more likely to report anxiety, feelings of sadness, low self-esteem and thoughts of hurting themselves. Jigsaw was set up by the National Centre for Youth Mental Health to support young people’s mental health in Ireland. Its goals include that every young person will have at least “one good adult” in their life, and that when they need support, they will be able to seek and obtain it.