West Be Well
In 2020, many organisations across Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon identified gaps for services and communities regarding trustworthy, reliable and safe mental health and wellbeing supports and services across the area. A regional working group was set up to consider ways of addressing this gap, which resulted in the creation of the West be Well resources. The work of this group is supported by Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon CYPSCs. The aim of West Be Well is to:
- provide timely, safe, evidence-based mental health messages, including national mental health campaigns at local level
- provide details of mental health supports and services by the HSE or other state funded services working in the area of mental health and suicide prevention
- provide details on mental health and suicide prevention education and training programmes and events.
The work of the group was recognised at the HSE Staff Recognition Awards Ceremony 2023, winning the award for Innovation and Integration in Service Delivery.
Click here to visit the westbewell website
Click here to play an information video regarding the West be Well resources
Planet Youth Roscommon 2022 Report Available
Planet Youth is an international evidence-based primary prevention model that has been developed in order to reduce substance use rates amongst adolescents. It works by directly targeting the risk and protective factors in young people’s lives that determine their substance use behaviours and enhancing the social environment they are growing up in. Application of the model in Roscommon is being driven by the Western Region Drug and Alcohol Task Force.
The model is underpinned by the data derived from the administration of the Planet Youth questionnaire. This comprehensive lifestyle questionnaire is administered to the 15-16 year olds in the target community and it examines a great many aspects of their lives. There are questions on their substance use, health, mental health, physical activity, family and school experience, internet use, bullying and so on. The data returned from the survey is used to inform the work of agencies in the county.
Click here to see the Planet Youth Roscommon 2022 report.
A number of resources for parents have been developed based on the data collected in the Planet Youth Surveys since 2018.
Click here to see the Parent Power booklet for parents of primary school children.
Click here to see the Guide for Parents booklet for parents of secondary school children.
To find out more about the Planet Youth initiative please visit: www.planetyouth.ie
Perinatal Wellbeing Video Series
Having a baby can be both a joyful and worrying time. This series of 8 videos, compiled by HSE Psychology Service, aims to help parents to understand that their feelings and experiences are normal at this time and offer suggestions for themselves and where to get further help if needed. The videos share ideas on how parents can develop their bond with their baby and how to “build a healthy baby”. The series offers practical psychological support that can help parents manage and care for themselves, while they, in turn, care for their new-born. Click here to see playlist.
Roscommon Wellbeing Toolkit 2022
Minister Frank Feighan, Minister of State with Responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and National Drugs Strategy launched the Roscommon Wellbeing Toolkit for children and young people in Boyle Family Resource Centre on Friday 30th September 2022. The tools and resources in the toolkit aim to support children and young people’s wellbeing in the County and can be used by those working with children in many different contexts. Staff in youth and family support services, family resource centres and social inclusion projects in the county as well as teachers, social workers and parents can use the resources provided in the toolkit to promote the wellbeing of children and young people. It contains advice on the importance of routine and a healthy lifestyle and tips to help children and young people understand feelings and emotions. There are a variety of activities in the toolkit which are suitable for all ages.
Click here to see the Roscommon Wellbeing Toolkit
Click here to see a Ukrainian version of the Roscommon Wellbeing Toolkit
Planet Youth Roscommon 2020 Report Available
Planet Youth is an international evidence-based primary prevention model that has been developed in order to reduce substance use rates amongst adolescents. It works by directly targeting the risk and protective factors in young people’s lives that determine their substance use behaviours and enhancing the social environment they are growing up in. Application of the model in Roscommon is being driven by the Western Region Drug and Alcohol Task Force.
The model is underpinned by the data derived from the administration of the Planet Youth questionnaire. This comprehensive lifestyle questionnaire is administered to the 15-16 year olds in the target community and it examines a great many aspects of their lives. There are questions on their substance use, health, mental health, physical activity, family and school experience, internet use, bullying and so on. The data returned from the survey is used to inform the work of agencies in the county.
Click here to see the Planet Youth Roscommon 2020 report.
To find out more about the Planet Youth initiative please visit: www.planetyouth.ie
Guidelines for Mental Health Support Services in County Roscommon
Information on mental health services for children, young people and adults in County Roscommon was developed following a themed day on mental health held by Roscommon CYPSC. This information is for members of the public and those providing services in the County.
Click here to look at our poster which outlines details of services available in the County
Roscommon Young Carers Project
A Young Carer is defined as a child or young person who cares, or helps to care for somebody in their family with an illness, a disability, a mental health issue, or who has an alcohol or other drug problem (Family Carers Ireland, 2018). Being a young carer impacts the lives of young people in many ways. Funding allocated to Roscommon CYPSC from the Community Mental Health Fund is being used to develop supports for young carers in the County.
Click here to find out more about Roscommon Young Carers Project
Roscommon School Refusal Resource Pack
Roscommon CYPSC recently supported the review and updating of the Roscommon School Refusal Resource Pack. This pack has been developed to address issues regarding school refusal and is the result of a collaboration between Tusla Family Support Services, the National Educational Psychology Service, Tusla Education Support Service, HSE Psychology Service, and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.
Click here to download a copy of the Roscommon School Refusal Resource Pack
County Roscommon Domestic Abuse Resource Pack
County Roscommon Child and Family Support Networks have developed a resource pack to provide services with information on key messages and resouces available which will assist in the recognition and support of those experiencing domestic abuse.
Click here to download a copy of the County Roscommon Domestic Abuse Resource Pack
Click here to download the accompanying information card
Roscommon CYPSC Newsletter
In September 2019 Roscommon CYPSC developed a newsletter to highlight its work.
Click here to download the first Roscommon CYPSC Newsletter
Roscommon CYPSC Presentation at Eurochild Conference, Croatia 2018
In October 2018 Roscommon CYPSC Coordinator Caroline Duignan and CYPSC Researcher Marie Gibbons gave a presentation to a Eurochild Conference in Croatia regarding participatory practices with very young children in the County.
Click here to see the slides presented at the conference.
Following on from this presentation, the work of Roscommon CYPSC on consultations with young children was included in a European Toolkit entitled "Towards Integrated Childhood Systems - Building the Foundations".
Click here to access the Toolkit. The example from Roscommon CYPSC can be found on pages 133 - 136.
#E-Powering Parents Resources
#E-Powering Parents is a training module aimed at empowering parents to help keep their children safe online. The module can be delivered as a stand-alone session or it can be added to an existing parenting programme.
Click here to download the Facilitation Guidebook.
Click here to download the Training Slides.
Click here to browse a bank of shared resources. Contact us to share your resources.
Planet Youth Website Launched - Current data on the lives and lifestyles of young people in Roscommon
Planet Youth is an international evidence-based primary prevention model that has been developed in order to reduce substance use rates amongst adolescents. It works by directly targeting the risk and protective factors in young people’s lives that determine their substance use behaviours and enhancing the social environment they are growing up in. Application of the model in Roscommon is being driven by the Western Region Drugs and Alcohol Task Force.
The model is underpinned by the data derived from the administration of the Planet Youth questionnaire. This comprehensive lifestyle questionnaire is administered to the 15-16 year olds in the target community and it examines a great many aspects of their lives. There are questions on their substance use, health, mental health, physical activity, family and school experience, internet use, bullying and so on. The data returned from the survey is used to inform the development of suitable interventions in the community that will help address the known risk and protective for young people and thus improve outcomes. There will be further Planet Youth Roscommon surveys in 2020 and in 2022.
Click here for more information and to see the 2018 Planet Youth, Roscommon report.
Roscommon CYPSC Mental Health Seminar
Service providers from across the county attended a Mental Health Seminar in Roscommon town on January 25th. The event was organised by Roscommon CYPSC Mental Health Sub-group to provide organisations working with children and young people the opportunity to:
- Hear what other services are available for children and adults who have mental health needs
- Learn about different approaches and practice models
- Consider ways of looking after their own mental health
- Map services in County Roscommon
Download copies of the presentations delivered during the seminar below:
- Presentation by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services here.
- Presentation by Roscommon Mental Health Services here.
- Presentation by Jacinta's Smile Foundation here.
- Presentation by Roscommon 'Youth as Researchers' Group here.
- Presentation by Offaly Social Prescribing project (Offaly Local Development Company) here.
Roscommon School Refusal Resource Pack: Information for Schools and Parents
School refusal is a challenge that confronts all schools sooner or later, both Primary and Secondary level. Early recognition and intervention are key to prompt resolution. Where the problem persists or becomes complex, schools often seek the advice and support of outside agencies. However, navigating the system (for example knowing who to contact and when) can pose its own set of challenges. To this end, Tusla Family Support Services, National Educational Psychology Service, Educational Welfare Service, PCCC Psychology (HSE) and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service have joined to produce this Resource Pack for Schools and Parents.
Download a copy of the Roscommon School Refusal Pack here.
County Roscommon Early Years Health and Wellbeing Plan 2018 - 2020
Supported by the Healthy Ireland Fund, Roscommon CYPSC launched the first Early Years Health and Wellbeing Plan for the County. The launch was performed by Fintan Cregg, Roscommon footballer.
Click here to download the Early Years Health and Wellbeing Plan
The Happy and Healthy Volcano
Launched by the Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Niall Muldoon, the Happy and Healthy Volcano presents the findings of a programme of consultations undertaken by Roscommon Children and Young People's Services Committee within six preschool settings across the county in early 2017. Over 120 children, aged 3 ½ - 4 years, were asked about what they think would help them to live healthier, happier and more active lives.
Download the Happy and Healthy Volcano here.
To read the Press Release issued after the launch of the Volcano click here.
LGBT Friendly Roscommon
LGBT Friendly Roscommon is a public awareness initiative organised by the LGBT Sub-Group of Roscommon Children and Young People’s Services Committee and is the result of a collaboration of many agencies including Tusla Child and Family Agency, Office for Suicide Prevention HSE, Foróige, Comhairle na nÓg, Social Inclusion Office of Roscommon County Council, Roscommon LEADER Partnership and Second Level Schools in the County.
This initiative is aimed at making service providers, community groups and sports clubs more LGBT friendly. The initiative comprises three elements:
Strand 1: LGBT Friendly Roscommon symbol
Designed by Luke McEvoy, a secondary school student of Elphin Community College, the LGBT Friendly Roscommon symbol will help identify services and spaces as LGBT friendly. The rationale for a bespoke, Roscommon-specific, symbol is to encourage people to view issues affecting LGBT young people as locally relevant.
To download the symbol as a poster Click here.
Strand 2: Awareness Raising Workshops
A county wide programme of awareness raising workshops.
An initial programme of workshops was delivered in five locations across the county. To enquire about future workshops, contact the CYPSC Coordinator.
Strand 3: Code of Practice Template
This template sets out simple and practical steps that can help service providers, community organisations and sporting clubs to be more LGBT friendly. The template has been compiled in consultation with regional and national LGBT organisations and can be downloaded for free from www.cypsc.ie.
To download the template for a Code of Practice Click here.
Listen to a podcast of Caroline Duignan, Coordinator CYPSC Roscommon, speak with Marieclaire Grealy on Shannonside Radio about this initiative Click here.
Online Resource Library: Impact of Parental Mental Health Sub-Group
The parental Mental Health Sub-Groups of Galway and Roscommon CYPSC's have compiled on online resource library of resources relating to the mental health of parents. The Sub-Group invites amendments and additions to this document.
To view the Resource Library Click here.
To contribute to the document, please contact the CYPSC Co-ordinator.
This is Me / Seo Mise: Successful Transitioning from Pre-School to Primary School
Roscommon and Galway CYPSCs recently launched a joint initiative to support the transition of children from pre-school to primary school called “This is Me” / "Seo Misa".
The “This is Me” / "Seo Mise" booklet enables early years practitioners to record information about what a child can do by the time he or she is leaving pre-school. This precious booklet is then shared with the Junior Infant teacher whose class the child will be starting primary school in. This helps the teacher to get to know each child coming into their class. Copies of booklet are available in English and Irish from the CYPSC Coordinator.
To view the English version of the booklet click here
To view the Irish version of the booklet click here
Click here to read the story.
To view our Local Links Click here.