A young person's guide to parental mental health

The WITH project offers advice and support to young people living in families with mental illness

A new project was launched last week in Mayo to help support young people whose parents are experiencing mental health difficulties. 

The WITH project (Wellbeing in the Home) is a collaboration between Mayo Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Mindspace Mayo. The project was developed by youth members of Mindspace Mayo and Comhairle na nÓg, as well as young people who have used the CAMHS service in Mayo.

About the WITH project

On the WITH project website you will find information and advice on different mental health issues a parent could be facing, and where you can go for support.

All of the information was developed by young people who have experienced living in families with mental illness, along with professionals in the mental health field.

WITH project launch

The project was officially launched by Maria Walsh, MEP last Friday in Castlebar.

A new online resource for children whose parents are experiencing mental health problems has been launched in Co Mayo. The WITH project aims to provide advice and assistance to young people, to help them deal with challenging family situations. | https://t.co/vdvO2tcRB8 pic.twitter.com/wNQONFtym8

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 11, 2019

Speaking at the launch, WITH project youth group member Niamh Lusson said, “being involved in this project and working with the rest of the youth panel, CAMHS and Mindspace has been so rewarding.”

“The WITH project is such a necessary resource for young people and their families, and I’m so grateful I got to be a part of its creation. We finally have a resource dedicated to an often overlooked aspect of mental health, and if we manage to help only one person, it will have been worth it."

You can access the resource by visiting the WITH project website or the dedicated WITH project YouTube channel.