Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to incorporate recommendations made by the Dáil na nÓg council on mental health strategies for young people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25875/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The main focus of the Dáil na nÓg 2008 Council was the development of a positive mental health advertising campaign aimed at teenagers. In October 2008, the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs conducted a series of national consultations with 277 teenagers in six locations around the country in cooperation with the Office for Disability and Mental Health and the HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention. Young people from the Dáil na nÓg Council 2008 were involved in conducting these consultations. The consultations allowed teenage participants to identify the issues of most importance to them using the heading "Teenage Mental Health: What helps and What hurts?". The outcome of this consultation process was published on 15th June 2009.

The findings of the report will inform a national information campaign targeted at young people. In Budget 2009, €1 million was provided to fund this campaign which will be undertaken by the National Office for Suicide Prevention in partnership with a range of statutory and voluntary agencies. The development of the campaign is at an advanced stage and is expected to be launched in September.