Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2012
53. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the introduction of a whole school approach to tackling mental health in education rather than the current curriculum based approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43055/12]
View answer61. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in drafting inter-departmental guidelines to establish a framework for addressing mental health in the education system; when he expects the guidelines to be published; if he will ensure that these are applied to primary level as well as post primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43054/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 61 together.
The Department plans to launch the guidelines on mental health for post-primary schools this year. The guidelines will provide practical support for post-primary schools in addressing mental health promotion and suicide prevention. They are intended to build on the existing good practice in many schools. They highlight the need for all schools to adopt a whole-school approach in the promotion of mental health and well-being. A co-ordinated whole-school approach involves building and integrating school self-evaluation processes, together with the effective implementation of the SPHE curriculum which is mandatory at primary level. Operationalising the guidelines will be supported by my Department's support services, including the NEPS, in collaboration with other relevant services. It is not planned at this point in time to develop guidelines on mental health for primary schools.
I ask this question in the light of some of the issues I raised as Priority Questions. It is clear that greater action is required to support young people who are experiencing mental health issues and that the school environment is a place in which positive mental health should be promoted. It is estimated that at any one time one in five young people is experiencing psychological difficulties. According to recent research presented by Headstrong, the number could be as high as one in four. Research indicates that adopting a whole-school approach is the most effective way of targeting mental health promotion rather than a curriculum-based approach in programmes such as the SPHE programme. The whole-school approach seeks to change the ethos of a school and make good mental health a primary objective. Will the Minister reconsider his approach and consider implementing this programme? Has he had any engagement with the Children's Mental Health Coalition which is campaigning for the adoption of a whole-school approach to mental health?
I thank the Deputy for his comments and broad support for the adoption of a whole-school approach. In fact, much of the thinking behind this approach is embedded in the core values of the proposals for the junior cycle curriculum. I hope the House will have an opportunity within a few weeks to debate the document launched last week. The key in what we are trying to do is vesting responsibility for mental health well-being in the school community, rather than it being a specific and particular task of one individual or group of individuals. We all need to be apprised of health awareness. Younger people today are more mature than we were at their age. The stresses and strains of living in modern society have become more complex and severe. The economic downturn has caused significant stress for many families, many of whom would not have envisaged having to deal with such economic difficulties. All of these factors require the adoption of a wider approach to their resolution and the provision of some support. I agree with the Deputy that the adoption of a whole-school approach is the way to go. I have received the communication from the coalition to which the Deputy refers which I will take into account when communicating with schools.
This is a matter which requires urgent attention. The Minister states the programme may form part of the reform of the junior certificate curriculum. However, this reform is planned to take place in the next eight years, which is a very long time in the life of a student. There is international evidence that adopting a whole-school approach to mental health is the most effective way of ensuring the mental health of students. We need to ensure parents, students, schools and teachers are all involved in promoting good mental health. The Minister must work to achieve real progress at school level in the implementation of a whole-school programme.
The sub-committee which worked on the guidelines comprised representatives from the Departments of Health, Children and Youth Affairs and Education and Skills, as well as the Health Service Executive. Funding was provided by the National Office for Suicide Prevention which fully supports this work. The programme will be examined in the light of its application to the current school landscape. I do not wish to give the impression that its application will be in some way dependent on the implementation of the transition year programme. It represents the same thinking in the reform proposed for the junior cycle curriculum rather than in transition year.
