Warning of increase in anxiety, self-harm and depression among primary school children

Schools are usually the first port of call for children in crises, and staff and parents do their best, but they are not trained mental health experts, committee told. Picture: Christine Schneider/zefa/Corbis

Anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders, and depression among primary school children have increased “considerably” since the onset of the pandemic, a school principal has warned.

Enda McGorman, principal of a primary school in Dublin 15 and member of the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN) was among the school management bodies and principals who addressed the Oireachtas education committee on Tuesday.