Youth mental health is at a crisis point

Senator Roisin Garvey is introducing a private members motion to the Seanad today (June 21) that recognises the youth mental health crisis and the vital role that guidance counsellors play at the front line of this crisis.

Guidance counselling was previously ring-fenced based on school size but in 2012 this was changed so that whether a school had a guidance counsellor was left to the discretion of the school principal. This change disproportionately affects disadvantaged students who rely more on in-school guidance and support. Currently only 4% of guidance counsellors get to use their full 22 hours for actual guidance counselling (according to a survey by the Institute of Guidance Counsellors).

Senator Garvey explained the importance of her motion;

“For the many students who are unable or reluctant to seek help from public health services, guidance counsellors are vital to supporting students’ mental health, well-being and forging pathways out of poverty. There is a considerable body of evidence to show that access to guidance counsellors has a positive effect on third level retention rates. As 135,000 students sit the Junior and Leaving Cert exams this week, it is essential they get the necessary support during this challenging period.”

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health issues among young people. Over 40% of 15-17 year olds and 18-24 year olds reported worsening mental health during this period. Children aged 12-15 were the most likely to seek emergency department help for mental health issues.

Schools have a responsibility to provide students with appropriate guidance under the 1998 Education Act. Senator Garvey’s motion calls on the Minister to restore the ex-quota status of guidance counsellors in all secondary schools where hours are calculated based on the number of students in the school. It further calls on the Government to reduce the ratio of full-time guidance counsellors in order to increase the number of guidance counsellors available to our students (the current ratio is 583 to 1 in non-DEIS schools and 249 to 1 in DEIS schools).