Devastating cuts to school counselling service ‘hugely disappointing’ - Derry MLAs

Foyle MLAS Mark H Durkan and Pádraig Delargy have criticised the decision taken by the Department of Education to scrap counselling services for primary schools.

It was announced that the Happy Healthy Minds Programme which was launched in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, will come to an end on 31st March 2023. 

SDLP MLA and Vice chair of the All Party Group on Mental Health, Mark H Durkan commented: “I’ve been calling for the continuation of this vital provision within our schools. I know from testimonies from parents, that the support provided to thousands of children under this scheme to date has been invaluable.  

“I’m hugely disappointed to learn that the programme won’t be funded beyond 31st March; it means that those children who have just begun counselling sessions will not be able to complete the programme. There are many more pupils also on the waiting list.

“The department, at the very least, should have made efforts to ensure funding was allocated for the remainder of the school year. 

“The Happy Healthy Minds, as an early intervention initiative is so important in equipping children with essential skills to understand and recognise their emotions, to build resilience required to deal with the hardships life with inevitably bring. Further to that, it also helps prevent escalating numbers of children and young people reaching crisis point and alleviates pressures on other services. 

“Given that significant increase in referrals to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in Northern Ireland; which saw a rise from 8,719 referrals in 2020/21 to 10,675 in 2021/22, it’s patently clear that counselling services in schools is essential. 

“I'll continue to campaign for a permanent counselling initiative for both primary and secondary school children. The cost of not securing this type of support doesn't bear thinking about.”

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy said cuts to the Happy Healthy Minds school counselling service are ‘hugely disappointing’ and will negatively impact young people.

The Foyle MLA said: “Cuts to the Happy Healthy Minds school counselling service are hugely disappointing. 

“The loss of this important service will have a negative impact on children and remove vital mental health support for young people in our schools. 

“Sinn Féin has made that clear to the Department of Education and highlighted the need for more investment in young people's mental health.”