The Neart Youth Mental Health Podcast

In this episode we’re continuing our discussions on Neurodiversity, following on from our first neurodiversity-focused episode last March that discussed neuro-affirmative practices and autistic experiences.

In this podcast you’ll hear from Sarah McGillicuddy, an Educational Psychologist with the National Educational Psychological Service, Mary Scully, Services Coordinator with Dyslexia Ireland  and Nicola Coss, National Service Development Manager with ADHD Ireland.

We’ll be discussing NEPS work with schools, parents and young people in the area of neurodiversity; the impacts of ADHD and Dyslexia on young people’s mental health, and what parents and guardians can do to support the young people in their lives. 

Here are some links related to this discussion that you might find useful:

SET Guidelines to aid schools in supporting children/young people with special educational needs.

ADHD Ireland website

Dyslexia Ireland website

Regulating after school article

Talking to your teen webinar recording  

Middletown after school restraint collapse resource

Sensory preferences leaflet for parents

Calm spaces leaflet

Self-care for parents webinar recording

National Autistic Society UK: Resources for autistic teenagers

Energy Accounting” guide: National Autistic Society Know Yourself series: Energy Accounting

For more information on Neart visit www.jigsaw.ie/neart

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In this episode, we talk with Dr. Kim Lombard, Neart Clinical Lead; and Liisa Rodriguez, parent of 4, about summer routines and habits and how parents and guardians can support the wellbeing of young people, and the household around them during the summer months.

Some useful links:

Self-care for parents webinar recording

Talking to Your Teen webinar recording

For more information on Neart visit www.jigsaw.ie/neart

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March is Neurodiversity Celebration Month, a time to recognise that every brain works differently, and to celebrate the unique strengths and talents of every mind. This global initiative encourages schools and communities to challenge long-standing stereotypes about Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia and other neurotypes (brain types).

In this episode we’re talking about neurodiversity in general, with a focus on neurodiversity-affirmative approaches, and then particularly looking at Autism and autistic experiences. This is just part 1 of a series on neurodiversity, and part 2 coming next October will discuss ADHD and Dyslexia.

In this podcast you’ll hear from Tara Mulhern, Neart Programme Lead, Caitlin Cruise, Training and Accreditation Manager with As I Am, and Edel, a Jigsaw Youth Advocate. We’ll be discussing different aspects of neurodiversity, mental health and neurodiversity and what parents can do to support neurodivergent young people in their lives. 

If you would like to avail of further Neart resources, like our webinar recordings for parents, you can sign up at www.jigsaw.ie/Neart

Rate, review and subscribe! Any questions you can email us on [email protected]

Please make sure to like, review, subscribe and share the podcast with anyone you think might be interested – and leave us a comment to tell us what you think! 

Useful links and supports below:

Regulating after school article

Talking to your teen webinar recording  

The Teenage Years: As We Are

ADHD Ireland website

Middletown after school restraint collapse resource

Sensory preferences leaflet for parents

Calm spaces leaflet

Self-care for parents webinar recording

Dyspraxia Ireland

As I Am

Post-diagnostic supports – AsIAm

Bi Cinealtas - bullying policies and procedures

For more information on Neart visit www.jigsaw.ie/neart

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In this episode we talk about body image, what feeds into the development of our body image, the impact that negative body image can have on a young person’s mental health, and some things that parents and guardians can do to support young people with their body image.

We talk to Jigsaw Clinical Manager and Occupational Therapist Clare O’ Reilly, and Fiona Flynn, Youth Development Manager with BodyWhys. 

The links mentioned in the episode:

BodyWhys support and resources : https://www.bodywhys.ie/

Information and support from Jigsaw: www.jigsaw.ie

For more information on Neart visit www.jigsaw.ie/neart

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This episode looks to provide insight, support and guidance to parents & guardians when the young person in their lives is struggling to attend school.

When a young person is struggling to attend school, it can cause huge stress for the whole family. In this episode, we explore this issue, how common it is, and some supports and strategies for parents & guardians. Thanks to our contributors:

Amy Goodison, Coordinator, Gorey School Completion Programme. 

Dr. Kim Lombard, Neart Clinical Lead, Jigsaw

Edel Connolly, Jigsaw Youth Advocate

Link to RALLY video: RALLY on YouTube

Click here for NEPS Guide for Parents on Reluctant School Attendance

Parents webinars - including ones on Understanding Anxiety and Managing Anxiety

Further information on motivational interviewing as mentioned by Amy: Motivational Interviewing Ireland

Further information on The Wheel of Change, as mentioned by Amy: The Wheel of Change

For more information on Neart visit www.jigsaw.ie/neart

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In our first episode of the Academic year 2025/26, the Neart Youth Mental Health Podcast discusses the importance of the move from primary to post-primary school, the challenges this can cause, and how parents & guardians can offer and find support around what can be an exciting but turbulent time in a young person's life.

With thanks to our contributors, Tara Mulhern and Adam Burke from Jigsaw, Dr Maryanne Lowney from the Tusla Educational Support Service, and Orla Condren, former school principal and current CEO of Le Cheile Educational Trust.

Here are some of the links and resources mentioned in the podcast:

National Council for Special Education: www.ncse.ie

NCSE advice document: Moving from Primary to Post-Primary School; Guidelines for parents and guardians of students with special educational needs: https://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Moving-from-Primary-to-PostPrimary-School.pdf

NCSE Education Passports: https://ncca.ie/en/primary/reporting-and-transfer/education-passport/ 

National Parents Council webinars and support document: Supporting Your Child’s Move from Primary to Post Primary School: https://www.npc.ie/images/uploads/downloads/ChildMove.PDF

Tusla Educational Support Service: https://www.tusla.ie/tess/

4X4 breathing technique: https://youtu.be/CoGTlBkP3IU?si=5XAKMFkdyebxYLAV

The 54321 grounding technique: https://neart.learnupon.com/r/yesowjq5jxi54uqysn1hr1tzi1s1le5

For more information on Neart visit www.jigsaw.ie/neart

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This is a special bonus episode for school staff exploring what schools can do for students in the lead up to, and during exam time. Our contributors had so much to say, we didn't want to waste it!

Thanks again to our contributors from the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, National Parents Council, Comhairle na nÓg and Principal Joe Leonard from Cross & Passion College, Kildare. Jigsaw's own Dr Kim Lombard also contributes.

For more information on Neart visit www.jigsaw.ie/neart

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This episode looks at self-care around exam time. How can parents look after themselves, the young person doing exams and the other members of the household during exam season? 

Thanks again to our contributors from the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, The National Parents Council, Comhairle na nÓg, Principal Joe Leonard from Cross & Passion College in Kildare and Tara Mulhern, Neart Programme Lead and Mental Health Occupational Therapist with Jigsaw. 

A general list of supports for parents & guardians can be found here: Parent & Guardian Support List

To sign up for the Neart Parent newsletter and access further supports, register here: Neart Parent Registration

For more information on Neart visit www.jigsaw.ie/neart

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In this episode, the Neart schools team talks to Dr. Kim Lombard from Jigsaw, Catríona Rodgers and Eoin Houlihan from the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, Áine Lynch from the National Parents Council, Joe Leonard, principal of Cross and Passion College in Kildare, and Cian and Katie from the National Comhairle na nÓg.

We discuss the impact exam stress has on young people and families, how parents can recognise when a young person is experiencing a worrying level of stress, some practical ways parents can support young people, and possible avenues of further support for both young people and their parents.

Information on the organisations and supports mentioned can be found here: Exam Stress Episode resource

A general list of supports for parents & guardians can be found here: Parent & Guardian Support List

To sign up for the Neart Parent newsletter and access further supports, register here: Neart Parent Registration

For more information on Neart visit www.jigsaw.ie/neart

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Neart Youth Mental Health Podcast.

Full episodes starting on April 28th.

The Neart Youth Mental Health Podcast is brought to you by Jigsaw, The National Centre for Youth Mental Health, and the Department of Education and the National Educational Psychological Service. 

For more information on Neart visit www.jigsaw.ie/neart

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