Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the guidelines for post-primary schools on mental heath, which are currently being completed by him, will be draft or final guidelines; the number of meetings with relevant teaching unions, child and adolescent mental health services and other relevant mental health professional staff took place in preparation for these guidelines; if the whole-school approach will be adopted by these guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33883/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The work on the development of Mental Health Guidelines for Post-Primary Schools is currently at an advanced stage and will be launched and published following the completion of the final consultation phase with relevant stakeholders including unions. The working group for the Guidelines comprises senior personnel from my Department, the Health Services Executive and the Department of Health and there have been several meetings of this group. In line with best practice, the Guidelines will place an appropriate emphasis on the need for a whole-school approach to mental health including procedures on the way teachers should respond to mental health difficulties of individual students. The Guidelines are based on national and international evidence and best practice and have been informed by a review of relevant literature and an extensive consultation period with a range of stakeholders with expertise in mental health. They promote a collaborative interdepartmental approach and are intended to build on the existing good practice already in place in many post-primary schools.

As soon as the Guidelines have been finally agreed and finalised they will be published and distributed to all post-primary schools. Given the important role that post-primary schools play in the promotion of emotional well-being and positive mental health, I am satisfied that these evidence-based Guidelines will greatly support schools in educating students about mental health as well as supporting students with mental health difficulties.