Stark New Report Reveals Deep Challenges For Wicklow Teens

Nearly half of Wicklow teenage girls self-harm, most teens try alcohol by 13, and heavy social media use is linked to poor mental health, a new Planet Youth report has found

A new report has revealed worrying trends among teenagers in Wicklow, with high rates of self-harm, early alcohol use, and heavy social media use.

The Planet Youth Wicklow 2024 County Report, launched at the Glenview Hotel, surveyed 843, 15- and 16-year-olds across local secondary schools and Youthreach centres.

The study was carried out under the Icelandic Prevention Model, with support from the East Coast Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force.

Alcohol the Main Concern

The report found that 70% of Wicklow teens have tried alcohol, with 42% saying they’ve been drunk, often as young as 13. Almost half said their parents had provided them with alcohol.

Deborah Jordan of the East Coast Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force said:

“The alcohol theme throughout the data is what stands out. The pressure to drink is more than double anything else.”

She also noted that participation in team sports appears linked to higher alcohol use and that half of teenagers believe their parents wouldn’t mind if they were drunk, compared with only 4% who said the same about cannabis.

Mental Health Gap

The survey highlighted a sharp gender divide in mental health. 43% of girls reported self-harming, compared with 19% of boys.

Only 45% of girls rated their mental health as good, compared with 72% of boys.

Ms Jordan said:

“It’s sad to see how unsafe and unhappy many young females feel. The data shows that the more physically active teens are, the better their mental health tends to be.”

Help Remains Hard to Access

Only 28% of teens who self-harmed sought help, and just 14% felt support was available when they needed it.

“We’d love to see mental health support built into daily school and work life. Early intervention is key — prevention is better than cure” according to Deborah Jordan.

Screens, Sleep and Substance Use

More than half of Wicklow teenagers spend over three hours a day on social media, and 61% of girls say it makes them feel worse about their appearance. 83% keep phones in their bedrooms, while more than half sleep seven hours or less each night.

Although rates of alcohol, vaping, and smoking are lower than in many counties, Wicklow has one of the highest rates of cannabis use among Irish teens.

Taking Action

With the data now available, Ms Jordan says the focus is shifting to community action. Schools, parents, and local groups will be supported to provide activities and resources — from after-school clubs to hiking and cooking classes.

“Schools can be the heart of the community,” Jordan said. “The possibilities for Wicklow’s young people are amazing if we invest in support and prevention.”

Future surveys in Wicklow are planned for 2026 and 2028 to track progress and guide ongoing efforts.