Jennifer mcmahon

Ordinary Member

Dr Jennifer McMahon is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology in the Department of Psychology, University of Limerick. Her main area of research is the promotion of school, child and youth mental health and wellbeing. Dr McMahon’s research seeks to explore how best to promote a school environment that supports teacher and student wellbeing.

Previous posts included working as an evaluator for Jigsaw, the National Youth Mental Health Centre and as project manager for the design and implementation of a mental health service for young people aged 12-25. She also chaired the Jigsaw Advisory Group (JAG) for Limerick city and county from 2018-2022. In addition, Dr McMahon has had a lead role in several projects related to recovery in mental health and was a steering group member of the Advancing Recovery in Ireland (ARI) Mid-West committee, Health Service Executive.

Dr McMahon’s research interests also draw on implementation science to promote best practice in the design and delivery of interventions to promote positive mental health and wellbeing in school contexts. Jennifer is the Founder and Director of the School, Child & Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing research lab in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education & Health Sciences, University of Limerick. The lab hosts several PhD researchers, postdoctoral researchers and research assistants. The SCY-lab collaborates with both national and international academics and is working with a range of community partners including: Narrative 4, Rugby Players Ireland, Mental Health Ireland, The Limerick Youth Service, Health Service Executive, UL Hospitals Group, the Limerick Clare and Education Training Board, Jigsaw Limerick and the Junior Health Sciences Academy.