Wexford Mental Health Services Working Group Thanks Public for Strong Survey Response and Calls for Urgent Action

Wexford's Mental Health Services Working Group is calling for urgent investment in local mental health services after a new survey highlighted significant concerns about the level of support available across the county.

The survey found that 80 per cent of respondents rated the quality of mental health services in Wexford as either poor or very poor. It also revealed that 80 per cent of those surveyed have experienced difficulty managing their own mental health.

Among younger respondents, the findings were even more concerning, with 91 per cent of those aged between 18 and 24 saying they have struggled with their mental health, while 89 per cent of those aged 25 to 34 reported similar experiences.

Speaking to South East Radio News, Chairperson of the Working Group, Councillor Aoife Rose O'Brien, said the results reflect what many people have been experiencing for some time.

She said the findings support the anecdotal evidence the group has been hearing on the ground and described the situation as a mental health crisis, particularly among younger people. She warned that without timely intervention and appropriate supports, the long-term impact on young adults could be significant.

The Working Group is now preparing to launch a second survey in September, focusing on the experiences of under-18s. The survey has been developed in partnership with FDYS and Comhairle na nÓg, with young people designing the questions themselves.

Councillor O'Brien said it was important that younger people were given the opportunity to share their own experiences of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, describing the project as a youth-led initiative that will help ensure their voices are heard.

The Working Group says it will continue engaging with healthcare providers, elected representatives and policymakers as it campaigns for improved mental health services across County Wexford.