Covid-19 has had a major impact on our daily lives and we have all had to adjust and adapt in the face of significant challenges. It is important to note that experiencing short term anxiety related to COVID 19 is seen as a normal reaction to abnormal events. My Department recognises that we are likely to see a variety of responses amongst students ranging from excitement and happiness to worry and anxiety, which are normal responses to unprecedented events. Normalising feelings by communicating that we have all struggled with aspects of the latest school closure and school reopening, will help to create a safe environment for students. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of my Department is very mindful not to pathologise worry and anxiety related to Covid 19. Some students may experience short-term anxiety related to COVID 19 and some students may have longer term mental health issues which may be impacted by school closure and Covid 19. The response to support the well-being of all within school communities during the pandemic required a structured, psychosocial response which is compassionate and largely preventative and proactive. This requires a whole-school team approach to planning in order to ensure that staff, students and parents feel safe and secure. This response is aligned with the HSE guidance on such responses, and based on the five key principles of promoting a sense of safety, calm, connectedness, self- and community-efficacy and hope. NEPS has issued guidance to schools to assist those who might be anxious and materials are available on the gov.ie website site. NEPS continues to deliver a psychological service to schools within the context of public health advice.
There are a number of ways in which students well-being is supported in schools. A Student Support Team is a student-focused mechanism put in place by a school in order to co-ordinate the support available for students in the school and to facilitate links to the community and other non-school support services. NEPS provides support to post primary schools in the setting up or review of Student Support Teams.
Counselling is a key part of the role of the Guidance Counsellor, offered on an individual or group basis as part of a developmental learning process, at moments of personal crisis but also at key transition points. Guidance allocations for all schools were increased in the 2020/21 school year. The Guidance Counsellor also identifies and supports the referral of students to external counselling agencies and professionals, as required. Each post primary school currently receives an allocation in respect of guidance provision, calculated by reference to the approved enrolment. The total number of guidance counsellor posts in the school year 2020/21 is 852.
Those with longer term mental health issues which may be impacted by school closure and Covid 19 will require ongoing specialist clinical support/ intervention. The Department of Health has responsibility for the provision of counselling 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. In addition, the HSE and its funded providers, provide e-mental health services that offer online text and telephone supports to people seeking mental health information and advice. My Department has built strong links with the Department of Health and both Departments are exploring ways to improve supports for young people, including around increased awareness, promoting help-seeking behaviour and sign-posting to the wide range of available services. Work will continue to collectively explore ways of improving supports for children and young people.
