Our Work

Supporting Young People & Adults to Thrive

At KYSS, we’re here to support young people and adults to overcome challenges, build confidence, and make positive changes in their lives.

We know that life can feel overwhelming at times — whether you’re struggling with your mental health, relationships, work, or education — and it can be hard to find the right help. That’s where we come in.

Our Health Support Workers are experienced in working with people of all ages and backgrounds. They take the time to listen, understand your situation, and provide tailored one-to-one support designed around your needs and goals.

Over the past year, we’ve supported many young people and adults with issues such as:

• Homelessness
  
  

• Bullying or harassment
  
  

• Depression and anxiety
  
  

• Physical health difficulties
  
  

• Abuse or neglect
  
  

• Relationship problems
  
  

• Finding or keeping work
  
  

• Education and training challenges
  
  

• Building confidence and life skills
  
  

• And much more...
  
  

We take a holistic approach — working closely with schools, employers, and community organisations to bring together education, health, and wellbeing support. This joined-up way of working gives you the time, space, and guidance you need to move forward and start enjoying life again.

Our support might include:

• One-to-one mentoring and coaching
  
  

• Counselling and emotional wellbeing sessions
  
  

• Confidence-building and skills development
  
  

• Help with education, training, or employment
  
  

• Liaison with schools, colleges, and other services
  
  

Whatever you’re facing, KYSS is here to help you take the next step — towards a happier, healthier, and more confident future.

Supporting Schools & Communities 

At Kinsale Your Support Services (KYSS), we’re committed to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing across schools and the wider community. We believe that everyone — from young people and parents to teachers and community members — should have access to the right support, information, and resources when they need them most.

Mental health challenges can affect anyone, and early support makes a real difference. KYSS works closely with schools, youth groups, and local organisations to make it easier for people to access help, build resilience, and strengthen wellbeing within their communities.

Working with Schools

KYSS partners with primary and secondary schools to provide a range of supports aimed at promoting emotional wellbeing, preventing crisis, and creating safe, inclusive learning environments.

Our work in schools includes:

• One-to-one support and mentoring for students experiencing difficulties

• Mental health workshops on topics such as stress management, self-esteem, and coping skills

• Staff and teacher training on supporting students’ mental health and wellbeing

• Collaboration with parents and guardians to create a consistent network of support

• Referral pathways to professional counselling, youth services, or community supports

By working hand in hand with schools, KYSS helps students develop the confidence, coping tools, and resilience they need to thrive — both inside and outside the classroom.

Supporting the Wider Community

KYSS also works beyond the school gates, offering mental health and wellbeing support to the wider community. We collaborate with local organisations, clubs, and services to create a more connected, caring, and informed community where mental health is understood and supported.

Our community support includes:

• Public information sessions and mental health awareness campaigns

• Workshops and training for community groups, parents, and volunteers

• Access to local supports and professional services for individuals in need

• Partnership work with health, education, and youth agencies to coordinate care

Through our Health Support Worker and community-based approach, we provide practical help, guidance, and a listening ear — ensuring no one has to face challenges alone.

KYSS is a community where mental health is supported, understood, and valued. By working together with schools and local partners, we aim to create a culture that promotes wellbeing, reduces stigma, and ensures that everyone knows how and where to find help.

If you’re a teacher, parent, or community member who would like to learn more about how KYSS can support your school or organisation, we’d love to hear from you.

Guest Speakers: KYSS hosts series of free talks on mental health and well-being by guest speakers. For example;

Dr Chris Luke - A Little Nightclub Medicine; Caring for the Party Animals

Joanne O' Riordan - A Night with Joanne O' Riordan

John Lonergan and Caroline Crotty - Parenting; Raising Your Child in Ireland

Aisling Thompson - Physical and Mental Health Awareness

KYSS - Let's Talk; Open Discussion on Mental Health Awareness

John Lonergan and Caroline Crotty - Parenting; The Challenges and The Rewards

Edel Foley - Adolescent Development and Substance Abuse Issues in the 21st Century

Zelda Di Blasi - Positive Psychology applied to reduce stress and build resiliance amongst young people

Liam Docey - Parenting with Confidence

Sean O' Fallon - Dealing Effectively with Bullying

Conor Cusack - Mental Health and Well-being

Robert O' Connell - Minding Young People's Health; focusing on Anxiety

Liam Docey - Minding Young People's Health; focusing on Sexual Health 

Brian Lennon - Minding Young People's Health; focusing on Cyberbullying and Bullying

SafeTalk:

SafeTALK (short for Suicide Alertness for Everyone – Tell, Ask, Listen, KeepSafe) is a suicide awareness training programme designed to help people recognise signs of suicidal thoughts and connect individuals at risk with the right help.

It is an internationally recognised programme developed by LivingWorks, and it is widely delivered across Ireland through organisations such as HSE, Pieta, and community groups like KYSS.

What SafeTALK Is

SafeTALK is a half-day (3.5–4 hour) training that helps participants become more alert to people who may be having suicidal thoughts. It teaches simple but effective steps to keep someone safe by connecting them with further support.

The name stands for:

• Safe – Suicide Alertness For Everyone

• TALK – Tell, Ask, Listen, KeepSafe

Who It is For

SafeTALK is for everyone aged 18 and over — community members, teachers, youth workers, health staff, parents, coaches, or anyone who wants to be more prepared to help someone in distress.

You don’t need any prior training or mental health background to take part.

What You will Learn

During SafeTALK, participants learn how to:

• Recognise when someone may be thinking about suicide

• Ask directly and safely about suicidal thoughts

• Listen without judgement and with empathy

• Connect the person to professional help or community supports

• Keep safe until help is available

The session includes video demonstrations, real-life stories, and guided discussions to help participants feel confident using what they have learned.

SafeTALK and KYSS

As part of its commitment to promoting mental health and suicide prevention, Kinsale Your Support Services (KYSS) helps raise awareness about training opportunities such as SafeTALK and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).

By encouraging people to take part, KYSS aims to build a suicide-aware community, where everyone feels equipped to support someone in crisis.

KYSS and the Darkness into Light Walk

Every year, Kinsale Your Support Services (KYSS) proudly takes part in the Darkness into Light walk — a powerful global event that brings people together in solidarity, hope, and remembrance to support those affected by suicide and self-harm.

Organised by Pieta, Darkness into Light invites communities across Ireland and around the world to come together before dawn, walking as the sun rises to symbolise the journey from darkness into light — from despair to hope.

Walking Together for Hope

For the Kinsale community, the Darkness into Light walk has become much more than just an annual event — it is a moment of reflection, connection, and unity.

Each year, KYSS joins local volunteers, schools, clubs, and families to walk together through the early morning stillness, remembering loved ones lost, showing support for those who are struggling, and celebrating the strength of community.

By taking part, we help to:

• Raise awareness of suicide prevention and mental health support.

• Show solidarity with those affected by suicide, loss, or mental health difficulties.

• Support Pieta’s vital services, which provide free counselling and crisis support.

• Promote local mental health initiatives through KYSS and community partnerships.

At KYSS, we believe that conversations about mental health should never happen in silence. The Darkness into Light walk gives us all a chance to open up, connect, and remind each other that no one walks alone.

Through our ongoing work in schools, families, and the wider community, KYSS continues to promote positive mental health, encourage early support, and reduce the stigma around talking about mental wellbeing.

Join Us

Whether you are walking in memory of someone, for your own journey, or to show support for others — every step makes a difference.

Join KYSS and the Kinsale community for the next Darkness into Light walk and help us continue to shine a light on hope, healing, and togetherness.

🌅 Together, we walk from darkness into light.

📩 For details on the next event or how to get involved, contact KYSS or visit www.darknessintolight.ie.

KYSS Primary Schools World Mental Health Programme

At Kinsale Your Support Services (KYSS), we believe it’s never too early to start talking about mental health. Our Primary Schools World Mental Health Programme is designed to help children understand their feelings, build emotional resilience, and learn positive ways to care for their mental wellbeing.

Promoting Positive Mental Health from a Young Age

Every year, to mark World Mental Health Day, KYSS partners with local primary schools in Kinsale and surrounding areas to deliver engaging, age-appropriate workshops and activities focused on wellbeing, kindness, and self-care.

Our goal is to create a space where children feel safe to talk about emotions, understand that it’s okay not to be okay, and know where to turn for help if they’re struggling.

What the Programme Includes

The World Mental Health Programme offers a range of fun, educational, and interactive sessions, tailored to each school’s needs. Activities may include:

• Wellbeing workshops on topics like managing feelings, friendship, and self-confidence

• Mindfulness and relaxation sessions to help children develop calming strategies

• Art and creative projects exploring mental health themes through drawing, music, and storytelling

• Classroom discussions about kindness, empathy, and supporting others

• Resource packs for teachers and parents to continue conversations at home and in school

Each year’s programme is built around the World Mental Health Day theme, connecting local learning with global awareness.

KYSS works closely with principals, teachers, and school wellbeing teams to make the programme meaningful and accessible for all students. Our Health Support Worker leads sessions in a friendly and supportive way, encouraging children to share, listen, and learn together.

We also provide guidance and resources for teachers and parents, helping them continue to support children’s emotional wellbeing throughout the year.

The KYSS Primary Schools World Mental Health Programme is about more than one day — it’s about building a culture of care and understanding that supports children’s mental health every day.

By starting early, we can help young people develop lifelong skills in emotional awareness, empathy, and self-care — laying the foundation for healthier, happier futures.

Out-Reach Programme:

The Mise (My Life) booklet has been adapted nationally by other organisations and by the HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare.