INISHOWEN could become
a pilot region for a unique support group to help
young people struggling with issues such as drugs,
depression and suicidal thoughts.
Mental health support organisation GROW will host a
public information night in Buncrana next month with
a view to setting up the first GROW Youth Group in
Donegal.
GROW field worker Mary McCann said if enough
interest is expressed the group would be modelled on
one based in Galway.
"The aim of a GROW Youth Group is to let young
people in the 16 to 30 age group know there is help
at hand and they don't have to be alone," said Ms.
McCann.
"The target age group is one that can be hard to
reach. As children they can be kept interested in
sport and other activities but there comes a time
during adolescence when they start to lose interest
in things.
"They might have a tendency to say 'I'm okay, I
don't have a problem'."
But according to the statistics, one-in-four people
will experience mental health problems in their
lives while one-in-five will be hospitalised because
of that problem.
Ms. McCann said young people in the target age
category are also facing into a difficult stage such
as studying for a college place, finding a flat in a
city they don't know and then trying to live on a
grant. "This is a time when they might also feel
pressure to drink too much or take drugs or they
might get into bad company." Guest speaker at the
information session will be Galway-based GROW Youth
Group organiser Paul Clabby. The meeting is open to
everyone including young people, parents, youth
leaders and teachers. It takes place in Buncrana
Youth Club on Thursday, February 7, 2008, at 7.30pm.
For more information contact Marcella in confidence
on 93 61594 or Mary McCann on 087 2330297. |
