Supporting Dublin’s Youth: A Network of Hope 

An alarming time for young people  

Young people in Dublin and across Ireland are facing unprecedented challenges in 2025, with housing, cost of living, and mental health emerging as critical concerns. The National Youth Council of Ireland’s recent report paints a stark picture of the struggles faced by the nation’s youth, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive support systems. 

According to the NYCI’s “State of our Young Nation” report from April 2024, housing and cost of living are the top issues for Irish youth, with 67% and 62%, respectively, citing these as significant concerns. Nearly half of young people are dissatisfied with their current housing situation, while 44% feel financially worse off than the previous year. 

The economic strain is taking a toll on basic needs, with one in five young people skipping meals due to financial constraints. This economic pressure is compounded by a mental health crisis, as half of 18 to 29-year-olds report low mental well-being. 

Gender disparities are evident, with young women reporting worse mental and financial well-being compared to their male counterparts. Additionally, those from disadvantaged backgrounds face more significant challenges in their working lives. 

As we delve deeper into these issues, it becomes clear that addressing the needs of Ireland’s youth is not just a matter of policy but a crucial investment in the nation’s future. 

The Role of Samaritans 

In this context, organizations like the Samaritans, who recently celebrated their 55th anniversary, are vital in offering support to those in distress. The Dublin branch of Samaritans has been a figure of hope for those struggling with mental health issues, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts. Founded in 1970, the Dublin Samaritans have grown from handling just over 1,000 contacts in their first year to answering nearly 89,000 calls in 2024. 

Mary McMahon, Volunteer Director of Dublin Samaritans, emphasises the organisation’s commitment: “We’re here to listen, without judgment, to anyone who needs someone to talk to. Our volunteers are dedicated to providing emotional support 24/7, 365 days a year”. 

The Samaritans’ approach is rooted in their founder’s vision. As Sarah from Samaritans Ireland explains, “Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide. We do this by offering support through our 24-hour freephone helpline 116 123 and email service; by raising awareness of our service in communities; supporting people at festivals and in prison; and by influencing policy at a national level.” 

Furthermore, they collaborate extensively with organisations like the National Office of Suicide Prevention (NOSP) and other charities representing at-risk groups such as Travellers and prisoners. They also deliver awareness talks in schools, sports settings, and youth clubs across Ireland. “Volunteers across the country – including Dublin Samaritans – deliver awareness talks in schools, sports settings and youth clubs,” they note. 

Beyond awareness talks, Samaritans provide “post-incident support in schools and youth settings after crises to assist staff in supporting students or members during difficult times.” Additionally, partnerships like Golf Ireland help raise awareness about their services within local communities: “Golf Ireland raises awareness of our service not just to members but to those in the local community,” they explain. These efforts aim to ensure that young people hear about their work through various channels. 

A network of help in Dublin  

Beyond the Samaritans, other organisations are also making significant contributions. For example, the association ADHD Ireland helps young people with ADHD. “Over the course of the year, we will receive around 6000+ contacts on our support line; we will also deliver around 500 support events to those with ADHD” This organisation is also noticing, since the pandemic “, a large increase in interest from schools in looking to get training on how to support a young person with ADHD.” But that’s not all for ADHD. Irland works “ in collaboration with UCD and the HSE”. They also have “developed the UNIMAAP initiative, which is an online six-week online programme to help students to support their own ADHD.” 

Another association called Turn2Me can also help young people by providing “ 6 free online one-to-one online counselling sessions per year for over 18’s, four online instant messaging support groups a week”, all anonymous. They also provide “Free School Talks […] to help students to conquer exam pressure and anxiety”. Without surprise, the most common issues young people seek help for through this organisation are “Anxiety, depression, loneliness”.  

Both ADHD Ireland and Turn2Me work together to provide additional support, such as “an ADHD support group once a month.” 

These organisations are part of a broader network that includes Pieta House, Niteline, Spunout, Dublin City Centre Citizens Information Centre, FYI, BeLonG To, LGBT Ireland, Jigsaw, Housing First, and Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). This network addresses various aspects of mental health, education, and social support for young people in Dublin. However, despite their crucial role, many of these organisations face challenges such as lack of funding, which limits their ability to meet the growing demand for their services.