Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 September 2020
61. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the practices and policies in place in universities if an athlete, student or extended staff presents themselves with mental health issues; the number of teachers trained in suicide awareness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22613/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraStudent counselling services are dedicated mental health support services available in all higher education institutions. They provide psychological counselling to students experiencing personal adjustment, developmental and/or psychological problems that require professional attention. They assist students in identifying and learning skills that will assist them to effectively meet their educational and life goals. They support and enhance the healthy growth and development of students through consultation and outreach to the campus community. I do not have information in the numbers of academic staff trained in suicide awareness, but the Counsellors provide psychological expertise and advice to HEI front-line staff in managing critical incidents and complex cross service student mental health presentations.
The vision of Connecting for Life: Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide 2015–2020 is to reduce lives lost by suicide and to empower communities and individuals to improve their mental health and well-being. Young adults are identified as a group who are at increased risk of mental health issues and suicide and the majority of third-level students fall within this group. While individual HEIs provide guidance, policies and procedures to support student success, not all HEIs have fully documented guidance on areas such as mental health policy. Therefore the Higher Education Authority together with representatives from my Department, the Health Service Executive, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, the Health Service Executive, the Union of Students in Ireland, Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education Ireland and institutional representatives, has been preparing a National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework. This will be published in coming weeks.
