Comhairle na nÓg youth council plans to look at mental health

THE new youth council for South Dublin, called Comhairle na nÓg, met for the first time in the chamber of South Dublin County Council recently.

The council is composed of local young people aged between 12 and 17, and in the year ahead they plan to look at mental health and youth spaces as topics of importance for young people.

Mayor Alan Edge was there to welcome the young people to the council chamber and praised the work of the Comhairle.

Mayor Edge said: “The importance of the Comhairle for the county can’t be underestimated.

“[They provide] a space where young people across the county from a range of backgrounds can come together to advocate on behalf of young people and ensure that this vital voice is heard at every level in our democracy.

“Comhairle is an essential part of our local democratic process.

“Our newest councillor, Vanessa Mulhall, is a past Comhairle member, proof that the young advocates of today are the policymakers of tomorrow.”

Topics that that former members of South Dublin Comhairle na nÓg have explored in previous years include climate change, health and wellbeing, and youth mental health.