Evaluating Model Fit

Designing and scaling up integrated youth mental health care

Aim There has been a global movement towards transformation of youth mental health services, but limited information on the core principles and characteristics of these new services is available. Jigsaw is one such service, established in Ireland in 2006, with the intent of creating change in Ireland's system of mental healthcare for 12-25 year olds. The aim of this paper is to describe the evolution of Jigsaw services, which are now firmly embedded in the Irish system of care for young people, and recognized internationally as an established service network. Methods This paper describes provides an up-to-date description of the Jigsaw service model, key areas of evolution that have shaped this model, and identifies future directions in service development. Results Key attributes of the Jigsaw service model including therapeutic service, scope of practice, youth mental health promotion, youth participation, and monitoring/evaluation are described in this paper. Information on key enablers (funding and governance/quality) and service providers is also included. Conclusions Information on the core principles and characteristics of youth mental health services is important. This paper addresses a gap in the literature by describing the Jigsaw service model, which continues to evolve so that it is responsive to the needs of young people.

Evolution of Jigsaw - a National Youth Mental Health Service.

Measuring parent satisfaction is regarded as essential but there is a paucity of research reporting on parental satisfaction with community youth mental health services. This study aims to examine parent satisfaction with Jigsaw – a primary care youth mental health service.,A measure of parent satisfaction was developed and administered to parents in 12 Jigsaw services over a two-year period (n = 510, age range: 28 to 70 years) when young people and parents were ending their engagement with these services.,Overall, parents had high levels of satisfaction with Jigsaw and their level of satisfaction did not vary depending on the parent or young person’s age and/or gender. Examination of qualitative feedback revealed three overarching themes relating to growth and change in young people, parents and their families; strengths of the service and; suggestions for future service development. Analysis of the psychometric properties of the measure provided evidence for a two-factor structure examining satisfaction with the intervention and outcomes and service accessibility and facilities.,This study represents one of the first efforts to measure parent satisfaction with primary care youth mental health services. It has resulted in the development of a brief measure that can be more widely administered to parents engaging with primary care youth mental health services.

Jennifer Rogers

Papers

Measuring parent satisfaction in youth mental health services