Headstrong have released a statement confirming that the temporary closure of Jigsaw Roscommon is due to an inability to fill the key position of Clinical Coordinator, rather than a reduction or withdrawal of funding for the service – which many locals felt was the reason when reports initially surfaced on Wednesday night.
Independent Candidate for Roscommon-Galway Michael Fitzmaurice was quoted as saying “For too long Roscommon has been left without funding to develop our Mental Health services at a time when they are so badly needed.
Fianna Fáil Candidate Shane Curran said “We must take a stand against this nonsense & ensure supports like jigsaw are adequately funded & Resources in place.”
The statement in full is as follows:
It is with much regret that Headstrong has announced the temporary closure of the Jigsaw Roscommon service from Thursday 18th February. This is due to difficulties in recruiting a Clinical Coordinator for the service. Headstrong, the HSE and all local partners remain committed to re-opening Jigsaw in Co. Roscommon as soon as possible. There has been no reduction or withdrawal of funding for the service.
Headstrong and the HSE, along with other local partners, are committed to Jigsaw Roscommon. A key stakeholder meeting is scheduled to explore other options with the aim of re-opening Jigsaw Roscommon.
Jigsaw Roscommon opened in 2010 and was developed in partnership with Headstrong, HSE and other local agencies. The service established an accessible, youth friendly mental health access point for young people through the Jigsaw Hub in Roscommon town and in outreach locations across the county. All of these developments were guided by local young people as part of an active and engaged Youth Advisory Panel.
Headstrong has been working to recruit the key position of Clinical Coordinator, a role that is essential to lead the Jigsaw Roscommon team in providing safe and quality mental health supports for young people. In partnership with the HSE, we have had held four recruitment campaigns to fill this post. This included HSE internal recruitment as well as advertisements in both local and national newspapers and recruitment websites. Unfortunately, we have not been able to find a lead clinician despite these repeated efforts and without a Clinical Coordinator a safe, clinical service cannot be provided.
On an interim basis throughout this recruitment campaign, a limited service has been provided in Jigsaw Roscommon for young people. Unfortunately this arrangement is no longer sustainable and will conclude at the end of February 2016. All young people being supported by Jigsaw Roscommon have received an appropriate service, and have completed their allocated sessions with Jigsaw. Currently, there are no young people on a waiting list for Jigsaw Roscommon.
For young people seeking help for their mental health from Jigsaw Roscommon, information on other local services and support are available on our website at www.jigsaw.ie/roscommon and at www.supportme.ie
Independent Candidate Denis Naughten has asked the HSE to meet with Headstrong to try to find an interim solution to allow the Jigsaw service to resume operations from the start of next month “At a time when greater and greater pressure is being placed on young people it is unacceptable that a vital service such as this is being withdrawn and every effort must now be made to provide the clinical staffing to keep the doors open.”