Transforming youth mental health services and supports in Ireland

BACKGROUND: Young people in the Republic of Ireland do not have access to appropriate mental health services and supports, necessitating transformational change in delivery systems. AIMS: Describe ongoing development and change efforts facilitated by Headstrong--The National Centre for Youth Mental Health. METHODS: Discusses findings from a national needs assessment, core strategies within the change initiative, progress in system-building, and preliminary descriptive and outcome data. RESULTS: Five demonstration sites comprised of four counties and a city neighbourhood are operational and preliminary data are promising with respect to implementation and outcomes. CONCLUSION: Effective change initiatives require vision and leadership, competence- and capacity-building, participative planning and engagement, adequate and thoughtfully deployed resources, and a comprehensive change management approach.