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Aim Significant overlap and comorbidity has been demonstrated among young people with mental health problems. This paper examined demographic characteristics, heterogeneity of need descriptors and services provided among young people (12-25 years) engaging in brief interventions at J igsaw in the Republic of Ireland. Method Between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2013, a total of 2571 young people sought help from 1 of 10 J igsaw sites. Of these, 1247 engaged in goal-focused brief interventions, typically consisting of one to six face-to-face sessions. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize social and demographic factors. Latent class analysis was used to cluster young people into relevant typologies of presenting issues. Multinomial logistic regression was then performed to determine significant predictors of class membership. Results The most common age of young people was 16. More women (59.6%) than men engaged in brief interventions, 56% attended school, 74% lived with their family of origin or with one parent, and 54.2% came from families where parents were married. Using established fit criteria, four relevant typologies emerged: Developmental (26.8%), Comorbid (15.8%), Anxious (42.7%) and Externalising (14.6%). Predictors varied by class membership, but general family problems and lack of adult support emerged as the strongest predictors for all classes. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the mental health needs of young people in Ireland are significant and diverse. Because J igsaw favours a more descriptive approach to problem identification, the four typologies suggest a need to determine program capacity in engaging youth with heterogeneous presenting issues and to tailor brief interventions to each group's clinical profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report on a study addressing gaps in the literature regarding parents' experiences of team-based approaches for their children with disabilities in practice in early intervention services. Specifically, this study examined the facilitators and barriers of the multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary models through a qualitative, grounded theory approach employed in which semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 19 parents (15 mothers and four fathers from 18 families) of children with disabilities from two early intervention services in Ireland. The results revealed that both models contained client-centered values for parents, such as enabling a child/family-centered model and facilitating parent empowerment. Also, parents reported a range of obstacles, which included misuse of time, inefficient delivery of services, lack of support, and their sense of confusion shifting from one model to another. The delivery of a key working system was also seen as worthwhile by parents. The authors concluded that parents placed the highest value on team guidance and teams' ability to promote optimal development for children. The authors note that their findings suggest that considerable gaps remain between policy and service provision in early intervention services in the Republic of Ireland regarding implementation of best practice team models for children with disabilities and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research-informed policy and practice is needed for older caregivers of adult sons/daughters with disabilities. These caregivers are often under tremendous stress because of failing health, financial pressures, bereavement and worry about the future of their sons/daughters. Twenty-nine older parents/caregivers of 27 adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities were interviewed to explore their views and experiences regarding long-term care and service arrangements, health and psychological needs and ‘future planning’. Findings show a severe lack of support, respite care and future planning which causes high stress levels for caregivers. Policy makers and researchers working in this field need to take into consideration the needs of older caregivers when making future plans for adults with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]