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YOUNG people in Co
Donegal and the North West regularly turn to the
internet for help and support about their mental
health rather than a health professional, a new
survey shows.
The study, by SpunOut.ie in the region shows that
85% of young males and 67% of females use the
internet at least once a day. Young people go online
primarily for communication, entertainment and
information, the survey shows. When asked where they
would get information/support about an issue that
worries them, 59% said they would first talk to
their friends; 57% said they would then talk to
their family and 30% said they would go to the
internet. 5% of people said they would go to a youth
worker and only 1% said they would go to see a
doctor.
SpunOut.ie in association with RTE comedian Damian
Clark are urging young people to speak out on mental
health issues. This comes on the back of startling
statistics signalling the importance of the internet
for young people seeking information and support.
Damian, a well known comedian from the RTE hit
programme ‘I Dare Ya’ featured in a
specially-produced short video as part of World
Suicide Prevention Day.
''Looking after your mental health is not a joke. If
you bottle up your feelings, then your emotions and
tough situations can seem overwhelming. Don't try to
manage everything by yourself. Try and talk to
someone. There are people willing to help you get
through any situation. SpunOut.ie is a great
resource to find this help," said Damian.
Meanwhile, SpunOut.ie project worker Ian Howley
added: “SpunOut.ie always encourages young people to
speak to a health professional if they were worried
about any issues they may have. However the fact
that young people are turning to the internet for
information and support is not a surprise at all."
"Ireland has the fourth highest rate for youth
suicide in Europe. 460 people died by suicide in
2007. We are living in a technology age and we need
to harness the internet as a tool to promote
positive mental health and suicide prevention. It is
clear to us that as technology grows and more young
people turn to the internet we need to invest more
in online support services to make sure that young
people get the correct information online." For more
information and to see Damian Clark's short film,
visit www.SpunOut.ie
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