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The number of under-25s being referred for mental health help with the Youth Enquiry Service has rocketed by over 140% in recent years.
305 young people were referred to the free and confidential 'YES' project in 2018 for counselling, advice and information on topics ranging from bereavement to housing, mental health issues, drugs, alcohol problems and sexual health.
With 125 referrals in 2013 to 223 in 2017 and 305 in 2018, this constitutes an increase of 144%.
Pictured: YES's premises, known as 'The Link', has two counselling rooms for people aged 14 to 25 to meet the increased demand for their services.
The spike follows the YES's recent move to a shopfront in order to improve accessibility and allow people to walk into its premises at La Colomberie directly off the street.
Inside are six professionally qualified counsellors, who provide advice to anyone from 14 to 25 from Monday to Friday, 12:00 until 18:00.
Mark Capern, Head of YES, commented: "Should any young person under 25 years old need any help, support, advice or need someone to talk with, our staff are ready to listen."
Pictured: The YES Project helps people manage their mental health.
At the moment, youth workers and counsellors who work with YES have been visiting schools to raise awareness of the project.
Education Minister Senator Tracey Vallois underlined the importance of looking after young people's wellbeing, adding that it was a government priority.
"Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through to adulthood. We need to support the best start in life for all children," she said.
Pictured Senator Tracey Vallois supports the YES Project.
"This Council of Ministers will embed health and wellbeing considerations at the heart of all government policy as set out in the Common Strategic Policy document."
For more information about YES's mental health support work, click here or drop into The Links, Eagle House at La Colomberie.
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