Headpeace wants to make things better.

The impact of the Troubles still affects us deeply, and it’s heartbreaking to recognize that more people have died by suicide in Northern Ireland since the Troubles ended than were killed during them. This is a powerful reminder of the lasting, generational trauma and the critical need for mental health support.

Headpeace is a developing youth mental health initiative supporting young people aged 14–25 through early intervention workshops.

Our programs combine breathing techniques, mindfulness, self-care, life skills training, and suicide prevention, all based on proven, research-driven methods.

These practices help reduce stress, improve focus, and build resilience. They also provide essential tools for handling daily challenges and support for preventing and responding to thoughts of self-harm. Together, they offer a holistic approach to mental health, empowering individuals to live more balanced and fulfilling lives.

We’re currently working with professionals, educators, and community partners to shape a programme that meets the real needs of our young people, with a focus on schools, colleges, and youth settings.

Headpeace was created in direct response to the gaps identified in Northern Ireland’s Mental Health Strategy — offering non-clinical, accessible support before young people reach breaking point.

In Northern Ireland, the legacy of the Troubles still casts a long shadow. Around 500,000 people — roughly a third of the population — were directly affected by the violence, through bereavement, injury, or trauma. But the impact didn’t end there: the effects of living with trauma, PTSD, and loss have reverberated through families, shaping relationships, parenting, and community life. When we consider this wider influence, it’s estimated that over 60% of the population have been affected either directly or indirectly.

Decades of underinvestment in mental health, especially in the hardest-hit communities, have only deepened these challenges — leaving scars that persist across generations and widening inequalities in health, education, and opportunity.

Youth mental health in Northern Ireland is now in crisis. We have the highest rate of youth suicide in the UK, and mental health conditions are 25% more prevalent here than in other regions. Thousands of young people are referred to mental health services each year, yet many face long waiting times, or are turned away for not meeting clinical thresholds. Behind every statistic is a young person who may be struggling silently — often with nowhere to turn.

This is why Headpeace exists. We want to reach young people early, build resilience, and offer practical tools for life — before crisis point.

We’re inviting educators, policymakers, community leaders, businesses, and funders to join us. Whether through time, expertise, partnership, or financial support, together we can build a programme that creates meaningful, measurable change.

Your support could help us reach more young people, equip more schools and communities, and create a future where mental health support is a right, not a privilege.

Let’s make it happen — together