Written Answers. - Mental Health.
Austin Deasy
Ceist:
87
Mr. Deasy
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if he is satisfied with the services available to respond to the growing level of suicide among young males in their late teens; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3665/98]
My Department is concerned to do all possible to promote good mental health in all educational institutions and to ensure the educational system does not contribute in any way to any increase in rates of suicide among young people.
The main role in the provision of counselling and therapy for potential suicide victims and their families belongs to the Department of Health and Children. This has established a national task force on suicide which has recently published its report and recommendations. My Department has examined the recommendations which relate to the education system, all of which are already policy.
Support for young people at risk of suicide in schools may be provided by the pastoral care system in the school, the guidance counselling service and the psychological service of the Department of Education and Science. Concern about students who are considered to be at risk of suicide should be notified to the school's guidance counsellor and — or the psychological service who will then liaise with their colleagues in the clinical services of the local health board. To improve my Department's response to young people in our schools who may need psychological help, I announced last year my intention to establish a national educational psychological service, and this was included in the Programme for Government. The work of the planning group for the proposed service is well advanced. The aim is to ensure that eventually psychological services will be readily available to young people in schools as well as those who have dropped out of school early. Examination of the links between educational and health services which will be necessary to ensure comprehensive psychological services is included in the terms of reference.
It is also important that young people should have access to counselling at the time when they need it urgently. In recognition of the need for counselling to be available in all schools, my Department has been gradually expanding the guidance counselling service at second level. An allocation of guidance hours is made to every school at this level, the number of hours depending upon the size of the school. The National Centre for Guidance in Education, which is a support agency organised under the aegis of my Department, has issued Guidelines for the Practice of Guidance and Counselling in Schools which have been circulated to all post-primary schools.
At primary level, a pilot scheme for the introduction of teaching counsellors in selected schools has been taking place over the past three years. Some 27 teachers are participating in this pilot project, and are undergoing a programme of specialist professional development leading to certification. Once the pilot phase has been completed and evaluated, decisions will be made about future developments in counselling in primary schools.
For some years now, my Department has been developing programmes which help young people to alter behaviour which puts them at risk of suicide. All of them emphasise the importance of the development of self esteem and assertiveness and indirectly help in the prevention of suicide. These programmes are to be incorporated in the subject of social, personal and health education which is being developed for both primary and secondary schools by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. As soon as I receive its final recommendations, I will consider the way in which social, personal and health education will be introduced in schools, so that every school will promote good mental health. I stress the value of a supportive school climate within which account is taken of pupils' personal needs.
It has been suggested in several reports on suicide that the fact that male students seem to be particularly at risk may be explained by a reluctance to express their feelings and to seek counselling. It is my Department's policy that boys' schooling should be broadened, where necessary, to encompass emotional as well as intellectual development. Relevant programmes are being piloted under the auspices of my Department's committee on equality of opportunity.
