A local councillor says more outlets and services for young people are needed in the region to help tackle both mental health issues and drug and alcohol abuse.
Fianna Fail's Aoife McCooey is supporting and encouraging the immediate rollout of a Drugs and Alcohol Forum in Monaghan, which would see the recruitment of support workers locally for those in need.
The forum is based on an Icelandic model that has already seen a reduction in substance dependency there since its implementation.
She has also emphasised the need for urgent intervention to bring more outlets and youth services to the area to mitigate against the mental health issues and high suicide rates seen amongst young people recently.
Speaking to Shannonside Northern Sound councillor McCooey said people can't continue to depend solely on charities for help, and more needs to come from Government immediately:
