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Mental health funding for Kilkenny schools welcomed
Councillor Andrew McGuinness pictured with Minister for Education Norma Foley
Reporter:
Mary Cody
03 Apr 2024 10:59 AM
Funding for wellbeing and mental health supports in post-primary schools has been welcomed localy by Councillor Andrew McGuinness who has also expressed the view that a lot more is needed.
The funding will provide additional supports to complement existing systems and structures in post-primary schools for wellbeing and mental health.
Speaking to The Kilkenny People, Cllr Andrew McGuinness said, "Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has announced she will publish a tender in the coming days to procure services to further support wellbeing and mental health in post-primary schools.
"The tender will invite suitable providers to work closely with the Department of Education over a two/three-year period to develop and deliver additional supports to equip schools for wellbeing and mental health services for students.
"While this is positive news I would like to see an even greater investment into the area of mental health for our young students. In an age where bullying is not as visible as it may have been 10 or 20 years ago as a lot of it takes place online and through social media, there is an even greater need to have supports in place for young students who may be suffering in silence.
"We are blessed with local services such as Teac Tom who celebrate 10 years in operation this year, but we also need that service within the schools structure to help deal with issues at the root. I very much welcome this news as it is a step in the right direction but when it comes to mental health and our young people, I believe there is always a need for greater investment and support," concluded Cllr Andrew McGuinness.
Announcing the funding, Minister Norma Foley said: “I am pleased to announce that funding has been made available to enhance the existing wellbeing and mental health supports in our post-primary schools. We know that young people learn more effectively and have better academic outcomes if they are happy in their work and feel acknowledged and supported in school. The demand for responsive services to support the mental health of children and young people is increasing, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and reported associated heightened levels of anxiety.
“The services sought through this tender will target students, parents and school staff and see post-primary schools benefit from the provision of additional, readily-accessible support to enhance Student Support Team capacity. This will build on the good work already happening in schools to enhance wellbeing and mental health and will complement existing supports provided through the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), Oide and other services and agencies.
“I would strongly encourage service providers with experience of delivering high-quality mental health supports on a national level to young people of school-going age to apply when this tender issues in the coming days,” concluded Minister Foley.
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