Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and congratulate her on assuming her new portfolio. It is great to see her in this role. This is the first time I have addressed her since she took over at the Department of Education and Skills and I wish her the very best of luck.

The Minister will be aware that the level of youth suicide in Ireland is the fifth highest in the European Union, with the figure for 15 to 24 year olds standing at 15.7 per 100,000. Based on this figure, it is imperative that we devise a course on suicide awareness and prevention aimed at post-primary students. ASIST, Applied Suiscide Intervention Skills Training, offers a two day course aimed at adults to increase suicide awareness and teach the signs to look out for in persons who may be vulnerable. This is very beneficial, but a short course on suicide awareness and prevention should also be devised specifically for post-primary school students.

A combination of the ASIST and safeTALK courses is already being used in places such as Canada and iproving to be very successful. Providing students with an understanding of suicide means that those experiencing suicidal thoughts will know where to seek help. It will also empower their friends and class mates in recognising students who are in difficulty and need help. Suicide prevention courses should include coping skills in response to stress, substance abuse and aggressive behaviours. The focus should be on promoting positive mental health in post-primary school settings. Prevention programmes in schools will allow us to reach greater numbers of students and help those dealing with suicidal thoughts or who could potentially be affected. Primary prevention at a young age can lead to lower rates of suicide. The way forward is to educate children at a young age.

There is no quick fix solution to the problem of youth suicide, but the introduction of a sensitive course at post-primary level - perhaps in transition year - could make a difference. I, therefore, ask the Minister to consider introducing such a course.