Whole-school approach needed

Since the reduction of guidance counsellors hours in post-primary schools, the incremental value to the exchequer has been imperceptible.

But the long-term consequences of the loss of this profession’s accumulated knowledge and expertise is becoming more evident with increasing demands on an over-burdened child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) which has recently resulted in many vulnerable adolescents receiving care in adult acute units. The ignominy of having the fourth highest suicide rate in the EU is a shocking indictment of sustained and systemic neglect, which warrants an immediate and structured response.

The government’s Vision for Change framework seeks to build and foster positive mental health across the entire community. However, for its objective to be realisable and realistic, it is obvious that any emerging mental health issues should be addressed as early as possible. If, as trained professionals, guidance counsellors, are impeded in their work of assisting young people to address mental health issues at a time when such intervention has strategic value, then it is only reasonable to suggest these same unresolved difficulties will become more pronounced and will manifest themselves in later life when resolution becomes an even greater challenge to the individual and, exchequer.

Following an EU Directive, the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 is being amended and the umbrella body CORU has been tasked with the responsibility for protecting the public by regulating health and social care professionals. Conversely, the Mental Health Awareness Initiative, being promoted in post-primary schools, invites participation from all who work within the school environment, regardless of specificity of training.

In tandem with the introduction of the proposed new Junior Certificate syllabus, and despite the absence of regulation or specialised qualification, a whole-school approach is now deemed appropriate to address the counselling needs of vulnerable students. In this regard, the well-meaning, sympathetic ear is certainly no substitute for the expertise and knowledge of an accredited, experienced counsellor. The ramifications of this marginalisation are already becoming clear.

Íde O’Neill

Whitegate

Co Cork