Mental health supports for Leitrim primary schools

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD, has announced the establishment of a landmark programme of counselling and mental health supports to be piloted in a series of primary schools from September 2023. Co Leitrim has been chosen as one of these counties.

For the first time ever, clusters of primary schools will be able to avail of significant counselling services through an innovative pilot project.

The first strand announced today will see primary schools in counties Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, and Tipperary having the opportunity to avail of this exciting new pilot.

The new programme is designed to recognise the impact of COVID-19 on primary school-aged children and will work to mitigate the mental health challenges, which may be experienced in schools.

Fine Gael TD for Sligo/Leitrim, Frank Feighan said he is delighted to see Leitrim included as part of this initial batch of counties selected for this very important programme.

“As a former Minister for Wellbeing, I understand that this new pilot programme aims to support, enhance and nurture wellbeing in our primary schools.

“This pilot will provide for an allocation of one-to-one counselling sessions for primary schools, with children with special educational needs also benefitting from the programme in the seven counties including Leitrim,” said Deputy Feighan.

Strand one of this pilot programme will be delivered as outlined below:

The provision of an allocation of one-to-one counselling sessions for primary schools, across counties Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, Tipperary, via access to a Department of Education-approved counsellor.

The counties were selected following an analysis of counsellor availability locally and liaison with regional NEPS teams.

Counties with sufficient availability of counsellors were selected for strand one this pilot.

Schools will have access to up to eight counselling sessions for each individual child being supported under this strand of the pilot as an early intervention measure to prevent the escalation of difficulties and the need for onward referral.

Parents and relevant school staff will be part of the intervention with the child and will be guided and encouraged to support the child at home and at school.

All primary schools in strand one will receive further information during the next week, including information for parents about the pilot programme.