The government has published new national guidelines on suicide prevention in post-primary schools.
They include guidelines on dealing with the mental health of all students as well as guidelines on supports for students who show early signs of mental health problems and those with more complex or long-term needs.
The Minister for Mental Health Kathleen Lynch has said schools that need additional help will receive training and support in implementing the guidelines.
Ireland has the 4th-highest rate of youth suicide in Europe and its among the top 5 causes of death in teenagers aged between 15 and 19.
Teachers will be provided with additional training if its needed.
'Issues need to be urgently addressed'
Minister of State for Disability, Older People, Equality and Mental Health Kathleen Lynch said "Youth suicides and youth mental health are serious issues that need to be addressed urgently".
"It is vital that we support our young people in their social, emotional and mental health needs in order to ensure that they reach their potential and develop into happy well adjusted adults".
"We must ensure early detection of problems and timely intervention for any young person experiencing mental health difficulties, because we know that early intervention leads to the best health outcomes and reduces the likelihood of long term disability" she added.
The Guidelines are divided into 3 main sections:
- School Support for ALL provides a whole-school approach to mental health and suicide prevention.
- School Support for Some specifically focuses on the early identification of a small number of young people or groups who are at risk of developing unhealthy patterns of behaviour or who are already showing early signs of mental health difficulties.
- School Support for A Few outlines how schools can support young people with more complex or enduring needs relating to their mental and emotional well-being.
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn says the guidelines work within existing resources - and schools have to do more with less.
