Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 29 November 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills

Mental Health Supports in Schools and Tertiary Education: Discussion

Ms Tami O'Leary:

In my personal experience, it was necessary for my physical health. That is why they thought it was a good idea at the time. However, when I was doing it and still hiding in the bathroom they saw that as misbehaving but that was not the case. I was just struggling with my mental health and they took away the reduced timetable then. If people are struggling, schools should try to accommodate their needs. People need to learn but their mental health is equally, if not more, important. Schools should consider the individual when they are looking at a reduced timetable.