Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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361. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if suicide prevention classes will be introduced in schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20117/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Ensuring the mental and emotional wellbeing of all students is a major priority of mine as Minister. My Department adopts a holistic and integrated approach to supporting the work of schools in promoting positive mental health and to supporting those with the broad range of problems, behavioural, emotional and social. The processes span the curriculum in schools, whole-school ethos, quality of teaching, learning and assessment, student support and pastoral care and the provision of professional development for teachers. It also involves other supports such as educational psychological services and guidance and counselling services, and the interface with other agencies, both nationally and locally. Schools also engage in a wide range of sport and cultural co-curricular activities which provide an important opportunity for students to experience success and personal growth.

The publications 'Wellbeing in Post Primary Schools - Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention (2013)' and 'Wellbeing in Primary Schools - Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion (2015)' have been developed by my Department in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive. The guidelines are informed by consultation with key education and health partners and by the findings of research. They provide practical guidance to schools on how they can promote mental health and wellbeing in an integrated school-wide way and they also provide evidence-based advice on how to support young people who may be at risk of suicidal behaviour. The Guidelines build on the significant work already taking place in schools, including through the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum, the whole-school guidance plan, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) continuum of support model and the HSE Health Promoting Schools process. Information is also provided on how to access support from the SPHE Support Service and other external agencies and support services.  In addition, Wellbeing guidelines have been produced to assist implementation from September 2017 of the Junior Cycle Wellbeing Programme. This will include a focus on mental health promotion. Continuing Professional Development is currently being provided for schools in anticipation of this.

A range of external resources and initiatives are available to assist schools in supporting various aspects of a positive mental health process or relating to suicide prevention and crisis intervention. It is a matter for schools to determine which of these resources they choose to access.  My Department's advice is that schools in the first instance should implement the Wellbeing guidelines effectively. When  considering programmes and materials or collaborating with external agencies in doing work in the area of mental health promotion, schools should be cognisant of my Department’s Circular 0023/2010 which provides advice on best practice for Social Personal and Health Education.

My Department is currently liaising with the National Office for Suicide Prevention to introduce a training model for the delivery of the SafeTALK suicide prevention training through the Education Centre network, commencing in the 2017/18 school year.