Research

      Focus Groups...

In Ireland young people who use mental health services have not been given a voice to really influence improvements in service provision. This is about to change. New services for young people are to be developed and government policy requires the involvement of service-users at all levels of planning.

This offers a unique opportunity for young people who have had personal experience of mental health services to shape the services of the future. Based on direct experience, young people are ideally placed to give feedback and make suggestions as to how things can and should change. Parents too, who have attended services with their child, will have a vital perspective on how to change things for the better.

In light of this, we (a group of mental health professionals) have come together to highlight the views of young people and their parents. For this purpose any young person who is currently attending services or has done so in the past is invited to contact us (see contact details below) to take part in a Focus Group session to share their ideas. Parents are invited to attend a separate group. We also plan to contact those who have never come into contact with services, to see what their attitudes are and what would make them more likely to consider accessing help if the need arose.

Each participant will be asked to attend on one occasion only. A number of focus groups will be held so that participants can choose a convenient time and location. Everything in the group is strictly confidential. Groups will be run by experienced and sympathetic mental health professionals who believe passionately in this process.

Anyone interested in participating should contact us and will be sent an information leaflet in advance, detailing the general topics that we would hope to discuss. In the case of young people under 18, parental consent will be required.

When we have gathered all the information, we will give all participants feedback on ideas that have emerged. We will write a report and circulate it to all groups who have a role to play in the development of mental health services. We will circulate our findings to the general media in addition to academic journals. By circulating your ideas as widely as possible we aim to give the strongest representation we can to young people who have experienced mental health difficulties.

We very much value your opinions and would encourage as many people as possible to contribute. The more people that are involved the greater potential for everyone's voice to be heard. It is crucial for us to get your perspective on services: what works, what doesn't work and how to make services more accessible and youth-friendly

We look forward to hearing from you. Please contact Sarah/Blanaid at: focusyouth@gmail.com for further information.

      Research Links...

'OCD Action' OCD Research
'OCD UK' OCD Research