New guidelines promoting positive mental health in primary schools have been published by the National Educational Psychological Service.
Children with good school connectedness are less likely to experience subsequent mental health issues and are more likely to have good educational outcomes.
The Guidelines, published by the Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), provide a practical framework for supporting schools and building on the existing good practice already in place in primary schools. They were developed in conjunction with the Health Service Executive.
Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for Primary Care, Mental Health and Disability Kathleen Lynch helped launched the publication this morning. She spoke to Lunchtime about the guidelines and also voiced her concern about the school who cancelled the gay bullying workshop.
A school on Dublin's southside cancelled a workshop on homophobic bullying at the last minute earlier this week.
Coláiste Eoin in Stillorgan cancelled the talk by ShoutOut, although they stated "it was at all times made clear to Shout Out that the scheduled workshop was not being cancelled" and that will propose to hold the presentation at a later point in the school year.
Minister Lynch said the outcome had caused her concern:
