HEAltH MAttErS 19
yoUth servIces
“the necessity of making
mental health everyone’s
business is crucial for
ensuring that communities
have the capacity to value
and support young people in
a long-term sustainable way”
management, problem-solving to
substance misuse counselling and conflict
resolution. As Jigsaw is evolving, so too is
the spectrum of services provided. Apart
from the multi-disciplinary team on site,
sessional supports are ever increasing
in the form of GP services, psychology,
complementary therapies, art therapy and
other forms of group therapy. Central to
the evolution of the service is the belief
that it is not about creating something new
but about enhancing and utilising what is
already in place. this is certainly borne out
by the extent to which health and social
services collaborate with Jigsaw on a day-
to-day basis.
Other service developments over the past
ten months include the completion of the
Jigsaw website, which acts as a vital access
point for young people as well as a point
More importantly, they will make up the opeN door polICy of information for parents, services and
minds of those closest to them, such as Presentations to Jigsaw vary greatly. community providers. the development of
friends and family. the nature of a drop-in brings its own an online data management system ensures
the importance of word of mouth is challenges in that, to some degree, you that monitoring and evaluation on a daily
demonstrated by the fact that over one have very little control over what comes basis is to the forefront of Jigsaw’s work. At
third of referrals to Jigsaw are self-referral, through the door. In this sense it can be a broader level, Jigsaw is actively engaging
a figure which continues to increase, with hard to maintain the early intervention and working with communities (based on
another 20 per cent coming from parents ethos. However this is seen as one of the Primary Care networks) to prioritise the
or family members. Other referral sources major strengths of Jigsaw, in that young needs of each community to ensure that
include health services (21 per cent), people and parents feel strong enough and young people have access to appropriate
schools and colleges (9 per cent) and confident enough in the service to walk supports at a community level.
community-based services (15 per cent). through the door and seek the support While the level of referral to Jigsaw
While the age profile of those accessing they are looking for. the most common continues to increase, one of the key
Jigsaw spans the 15–25 year age range, presentations to Jigsaw have included challenges now is to maintain and build
it is worth noting that 38 per cent of issues within families, relationships with capacity. Fidelity to the approach and
young people accessing support are peers, and feelings such as low mood, low concepts that underlie Jigsaw is central
between the ages of 16–18 years, while 17 self-esteem, anger or frustration. Other to ensuring that it maintains its principles
represents the age at which young people common presentations include isolation, and ethos. the necessity of making mental
are most likely to access Jigsaw (14 per physical stress, anxiety and problematic health everyone’s business is crucial
cent). Young people between the ages behaviour, such as alcohol or drug abuse. for ensuring that communities have the
of 19–25 represent 44 per cent of those Interventions employed within Jigsaw capacity to value and support young people
accessing Jigsaw. range from relationship building, anxiety in a long-term sustainable way.
health matters is 4.indd 19 27/11/2009 20:35:12
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