Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

60. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the contingency plan in place to respond to the expected rise in students presenting with mental health issues on their return to the classroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22614/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The mental health of our students is a priority for my Department, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increased mental stress and pressure resulting from it. In this regard I recently secured a comprehensive package of financial support in the amount of €168m for the Higher Education and Further Education and Training sector to mitigate against the direct financial impact of COVID-19 on our Universities, institutions, colleges and students in 2020. This package includes additional funding of €3m to underpin well-being and mental health and student services in our higher education institutions, and is in addition to the €2m that was allocated in Budget 2020. This overall funding of €5m comes at a time of great urgency in relation to student support and re-opening of our higher education institutions.

In addition, the Higher Education Authority, assisted by a broad range of stakeholders, including the Health Service Executive, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, the Health Service Executive, the USI, Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education Ireland, institutional representatives, and my Department has been preparing a National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework. I expect that this Framework will be published in coming weeks.

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

61. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the practices and policies in place in universities if an athlete, student or extended staff presents themselves with mental health issues; the number of teachers trained in suicide awareness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22613/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Student counselling services are dedicated mental health support services available in all higher education institutions. They provide psychological counselling to students experiencing personal adjustment, developmental and/or psychological problems that require professional attention. They assist students in identifying and learning skills that will assist them to effectively meet their educational and life goals. They support and enhance the healthy growth and development of students through consultation and outreach to the campus community. I do not have information in the numbers of academic staff trained in suicide awareness, but the Counsellors provide psychological expertise and advice to HEI front-line staff in managing critical incidents and complex cross service student mental health presentations.

The vision of Connecting for Life: Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide 2015–2020 is to reduce lives lost by suicide and to empower communities and individuals to improve their mental health and well-being. Young adults are identified as a group who are at increased risk of mental health issues and suicide and the majority of third-level students fall within this group. While individual HEIs provide guidance, policies and procedures to support student success, not all HEIs have fully documented guidance on areas such as mental health policy. Therefore the Higher Education Authority together with representatives from my Department, the Health Service Executive, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, the Health Service Executive, the Union of Students in Ireland, Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education Ireland and institutional representatives, has been preparing a National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework. This will be published in coming weeks.