Pandemic experiences and mental health among young people in Ireland: lessons from Teenpath COVID

Teenpath COVID is a mixed-methods, participatory study exploring the experiences of young people in Ireland since the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on existing health inequalities. As part of an exploratory sequential research design, we conducted a stakeholder analysis, online survey, and participatory arts programme evaluation to identify cross-cutting issues impacting the health and well-being of young people in Dublin and across Ireland. Interviews conducted with stakeholders spanning youth service, public health, and education sectors, and young people aged 16-25 explored individuals’ experiences of the pandemic; adaptations to working and maintaining engagement online; key concerns about young people's health and wellbeing; and priorities for future research and policy. Thematic analysis identified impacts of the pandemic on health inequalities with potential policy implications. This informed a subsequent online survey exploring young people's mental health since the pandemic, and an ethnographic case study of a participatory arts programme exploring key issues important to young people in Dublin. Our findings suggest the pandemic has impacted predominantly on young people's mental health and access to youth mental health services; disruption to work, education and social and peer support networks; and health behaviours. Protective measures, from accessing and maintaining social support networks, to developing coping strategies were important for young people's mental health. However the extent to which these were possible was shaped significantly by individuals’ personal circumstances at the time. These findings show the importance of social participation and support for young people in navigating the uncertainties and difficulties of growing up in a pandemic. Participatory approaches can be a pathway for aligning healthy priorities and policy that contributes unique and rich insights into community health, and places young people at the centre of change. KEY MESSAGES: • Young people in Ireland have experienced significant impacts to their mental health since the COVID-19 pandemic began, particularly regarding disruptions to education and social support networks. • Participatory approaches to research and youth engagement with young people is important for gathering high quality and diverse data on complex topics such as mental health and health inequalities.