The Mental Health Commission yesterday launched a website and resource pack aimed at helping young people being treated by mental health services.
The Headspace Toolkit is designed to equip children and teenagers to speak up for themselves, assert their rights and get involved in decisions concerning their care and treatment. An average of 360 children and adolescents were admitted to mental health units for treatment in each of the past three years. Hugh Kane, chief executive of the Mental Health Commission, said: 'There is no official advocacy group representing young people suffering from mental illness. So there is a vacuum of information which needs to be filled.' Mr Kane was pictured at the launch with Robbie Healy, Ciaran Egan and Eileen Flynn from The Base Youth Centre in Ballyfermot, Dublin. Photograph: Shane O'Neill/Fennells www.headspaceireland.ie