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Mental Health Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 November 2020

Wednesday, 25 November 2020

Questions (106, 107)

Denis Naughten

Question:

106. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the training and support available to teachers in primary schools in order to deal with the mental health issues of students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38998/20]

View answer

Denis Naughten

Question:

107. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the training and support available to teachers in post-primary schools in order to deal with the mental health issues of students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38999/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together.

There are a number of ways in which teachers are supported to deal with matters relating to wellbeing and mental health. Firstly, I will outline the role of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of my Department. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides a comprehensive, school-based psychological service to all primary and post primary schools through the application of psychological theory and practice to support the wellbeing, academic, social and emotional development of all learners. NEPS provides a casework service to schools through the assigned NEPS psychologist. Individual casework service involves a high level of psychologist collaboration with teachers and parents, often also working directly with the child/young person. NEPS may become involved with supporting individual students where the school’s SET team or Student Support Team (in post-primary) feels that the involvement of the psychologist is needed. Psychologists may provide consultation in relation to appropriate therapeutic interventions to be delivered in the school setting and engage in direct work with an individual student as appropriate. This year due to Covid19 some elements of casework service are modified to ensure compliance with public health and your school’s safety measures.

In the event that the need for a more targeted counselling or a specialised intervention is identified by the NEPS psychologist, a referral is made to an outside agency for evaluation and ongoing support. The NEPS psychologist can identify the most appropriate referral pathway and supports school with the onward referral to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Team (CAMHS), HSE Primary Care/Community Psychology teams, or an identified local community based specialist mental health service. Overall responsibility for the provision of child and adolescent mental health services lies within the remit of the Department of Health.

In addition to casework, NEPS psychologists work with teachers to build their capacity. NEPS teams offer training and guidance for teachers in the provision of universal and targeted evidence-informed approaches and early intervention to promote children’s wellbeing, social, emotional and academic development. NEPS psychologists provide a Support and Development service to schools that includes planning meetings, consultation, cluster group meetings and more formal teacher professional learning opportunities which includes teacher professional learning programmes such as the Friends Resilience Programmes and the Incredible Years Social Emotional learning programme. These programmes have been welcomed by schools and their impact positively evaluated. My Department is working to adapt these programmes for online delivery later in the academic year.

NEPS also supports school leaders and teachers to establish and operate student support teams. Student Support Teams are part of the student support system in a school.

At primary level Social, Personal, Health Education (SPHE) is mandatory and it supports the personal development, health and well-being of young people and helps them create and maintain supportive relationships. Since September 2020, the PDST Primary Health and Wellbeing team have been providing bespoke (virtual) CPD and support to schools in the following areas; Teaching and Learning in SPHE (including visual arts), Stay Safe Programme, RSE, Anti-bullying (including Internet Safety and Cyber-bullying), Teacher Wellbeing and Restorative Practice. PDST’s Wellbeing support is rooted in the SPHE curriculum.

At post primary level, all students commencing Junior Cycle from September 2017 onwards undertake the area of learning called Wellbeing. Wellbeing crosses the three years of Junior Cycle and builds on substantial work already taking place in schools in support of students’ wellbeing. When planning a Wellbeing Programme schools can access the NCCA developed short courses in PE, SPHE, and CSPE. Strand 4 of the SPHE short course - My Mental Health, focuses on building positive mental health, examining young people’s experience of mental ill health and learning how to support themselves and others in challenging times. Teachers can access support from the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) and the Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) for these areas of the curriculum. The PDST facilitates a Mental Health 2-Day Seminar each year. Due to the current context, PDST’s Mental Health Seminar has been postponed until 2021. Since September 2020, PDST advisors have facilitated online bespoke in-school support. During PDST’s support engagements, they have supported schools through facilitated dialogue around Junior and Senior Cycle SPHE and RSE.

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