title: 'Nobody really gets it': a qualitative exploration of youth mental health in deprived urban areas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the experience of developing and living with mental health and substance use disorders among young people living in urban-deprived areas in Ireland to inform primary care interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 20 young adults attending health and social care agencies in two deprived urban areas, and analysed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five themes were identified: experiencing symptoms, symptom progression, delay accessing help, loss of control/crisis point, and consequences of mental health and substance use disorders. As young people delayed help, symptoms disrupted normal life progression and they found themselves unable to engage in everyday activities, and living with reduced potential. Living in deprived areas influenced the development of problems: many had added stressors, less familial support and early exposure to violence, addiction and bereavement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young people in urban-deprived areas are especially vulnerable to mental health and substance use disorders. Early identification in primary care appears necessary in halting symptom and illness progression, improving young people's chances of achieving their potential.
authors: Graduate-Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Schaffalitzky
authors: Graduate-Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors: Dorothy
authors: D
authors: Leahy
authors: Graduate-Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Armstrong
authors: Lucena Clinic, St John of God Hospitaller Services, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Blanaid
authors: B
authors: Gavin
authors: Thomas Court Primary Care Centre, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Latham
authors: Lucena Clinic, St John of God Hospitaller Services, Dublin, Ireland.|UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Fiona
authors: F
authors: McNicholas
authors: Graduate-Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Meagher
authors: Graduate-Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors: Ray
authors: R
authors: O'Connor
authors: Brown Alpert Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: O'Toole
authors: Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Bobby P
authors: BP
authors: Smyth
authors: Graduate-Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors: Walter
authors: W
authors: Cullen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D014505:Urban Population; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adolescence; early medical intervention; mental health; qualitative research; substance addiction