Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022
407. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the steps that are being taken to ensure that primary and secondary schools have adequate supports and resources to provide Ukrainian children fleeing war the mental health support that they need. [15973/22]
View answerMy Department is working to identify and prepare arrangements to address the needs of the primary and post-primary school-aged children arriving from Ukraine. This includes supporting the wellbeing and social and emotional needs of these young people.
In line with research on best practice, guidance from the National Educational Psychology Service (NEPS), the HSE and the Psychological Society of Ireland, the Department is taking a Psychological First Aid approach to supporting wellbeing in our schools at this time. Instead, these children/young people and their families need to be given time to adapt and adjust to their new environment, new home, new school, and to be given access to practical supports, clear information and assistance to settle in and make friends. NEPS has developed guidance for schools on how best to welcome children and support their wellbeing at this time. This guidance is based on the provision of a psycho-social response of promoting a sense of safety, calm, connectedness, efficacy and hope. These are key evidence-based principles known to help people regain a sense of normalcy and wellbeing in the aftermath of emergencies/traumatic events. Schools are familiar with these principles of support, as they formed the basis of the Department’s response to supporting wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic. Children and young people will do better in the long term if they feel safe, calm and hopeful, if they feel a sense of belonging and connectedness to their new school, and they feel that they can manage and cope. Applying these five principles will help the school community, in its own unique way, to foster these children’s and young people’s resilience.
NEPS will develop further advice and resources, as appropriate, including a webinar for school staff. NEPS psychologists are available on the ground to consult with schools and provide support as needed.
Children and their families arriving from Ukraine need to be given time to adapt and adjust to their new environment, new home, new school, and to be given access to practical supports, clear information and assistance to settle in and make friends. Counselling or psychological debriefing are not recommended at this time. Many of these children and young people will show remarkable resilience now that they are in a safer place and psychosocial supports are in place, but for some recovery will take longer. The Department of Health has responsibility for the provision of mental health services in Ireland, and through HSE Primary Care Psychology and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) provides clinical support to children and young people with mental health needs. This Department will continue to signpost schools and students to the HSE/HSE-funded mental health services.
