Cork Youth Wellbeing Takes Centre Stage with Major Initiatives on Mental Health and Online Safety

Two significant initiatives aimed at protecting and supporting young people in Cork were launched this week, addressing both mental health resilience and online safety in a coordinated effort to tackle the challenges facing teenagers today.

Yesterday saw Cork County Council host its 8th annual Teen Talk event, bringing together over 1,000 Transition Year students to discuss confidence, resilience and positive mental health. On the same day, An Garda Síochána facilitated the launch of Help4U, a new European digital platform designed to support children and teenagers facing sexual abuse or online harm.

Teen Talk draws record attendance

More than 1,000 Transition Year students participated in yesterday's Teen Talk event, with over 500 attending in person and a further 500 joining via livestream from 15 schools across Cork County.

The event, compered by social media creator Kayleigh Trappe, featured three headline speakers: Aisling Thompson on confidence and teenage wellbeing, motivational speaker and athlete Gerry Duffy, and psychotherapist Dr Richard Hogan, who explored mental health, resilience and family dynamics. Musical entertainment was provided by Jen Bowler of Cork band Out of Order.

In attendance were Cllr Ian Doyle, Deputy Mayor of Cork County, alongside Niall Healy, Divisional Manager, Nicola Radley, Director of Services, Niall O'Callaghan of Health & Wellbeing, and Cllr John Michael Foley.

The Teen Talk initiative gained national recognition in August 2025 when Cork County Council was shortlisted under the Health and Wellbeing category in the Excellence in Local Government Awards for its work on the programme.

Help4U platform addresses online exploitation

The Help4U platform, developed by Europol and CENTRIC with significant input from An Garda Síochána, provides children and professionals with trusted access to information, protection and support for those facing online sexual abuse.

The platform offers clear, practical guidance for anyone under 18 who needs help, as well as information for parents, teachers and professionals supporting them. It covers issues including manipulation or catfishing, sexual extortion, harassment or blackmailing, and sharing sexual images.

Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis said:

"I am delighted to see the Help4U platform launched. The aim of the platform is to make a tangible difference to the lives of children who have been impacted by any of the targeted crime types including manipulation or catfishing, sexual extortion harassment or blackmailing, and sharing sexual images."

An Garda Síochána's online child exploitation team at the Garda National Protective Services Bureau supported Europol in developing the platform. A pilot involving Ireland ran earlier this year, and in February, a meeting of the EMPACT Child Sexual Exploitation Action group was held at An Garda Síochána's Walter Scott House in Dublin.

Two Irish platforms are listed as resources on Help4U: hotline.ie, which facilitates reporting of online child exploitation, and ispcc.ie, which operates a 24-hour helpline for children.

A coordinated approach to youth wellbeing

What sets both initiatives apart is their focus on accessibility and practical support. Help4U allows young people to choose how they receive support, whether by reading, chatting, or locating a nearby service. All content is written in clear, age-appropriate language.

Similarly, Teen Talk's combination of in-person attendance and livestreaming ensures the message reaches students across Cork County, making wellbeing education accessible rather than purely informational.

Help4U began as a pilot project between Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovenia, and has since expanded to include Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Romania, with more countries expected in 2026 and beyond.

Building resilience on multiple fronts

The timing of both initiatives reflects growing recognition that supporting young people requires addressing multiple dimensions of their lives: mental health, emotional resilience, and online safety.

Students at Teen Talk reported feeling inspired to share what they had learned with classmates and to support each other more actively. The practical takeaways included recognising when help is needed, building daily resilience, understanding that confidence grows through action, and realising that teenage challenges are shared experiences.

Assistant Commissioner Willis added:

"While the platform will provide guidance and advice to children, the key aim is to build a safer, more supportive world for young people, where their voices are heard, their rights are protected, and their futures are brighter."

Cork County Council says it will continue refining the Teen Talk format, expanding livestream access and incorporating fresh voices to stay relevant to young people. For schools wishing to participate in future editions, registration information is typically released via the council's website.

The Help4U platform is now live and accessible to young people across participating European countries who need support with online safety issues.