Primary teachers call for in-school counselling to tackle youth 'mental health pandemic'

Lara Ní Riain and Michael Coleman, Blanchardstown branch, at the INTO annual congress in Killarney. Picture: Moya Nolan

Teachers have condemned the lack of mental health supports for primary school students, as research shows that one in three children are likely to have experienced some type of mental health disorder by the age of 13.

Delegates at the INTO Congress 2022 passed a motion yesterday calling for increased funding for children’s mental health services, in particular for on-site supports and counselling for primary students.