New Student Wellbeing National Plan

In a recent piece in the Irish Examiner (August 7^th), concerns have been raised by Dr. Paul Downes, Associate Professor of Education (Psychology), School of Human Development, Institute of Education regarding the Department of Education and Skills’ new Student Wellbeing National Plan:

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/richard-brutons-student-wellbeing-plan-risks-being-sticking-plaster-860424.html

Dr. Downes argues that the National Plan’s placing of a teacher in the role of ‘one good adult’ for students to confide in is not an adequate substitute for qualified emotional counsellors or therapists in and around schools. As anxiety has many complex causes, including deep seated issues of trauma, physical and sexual abuse, attachment issues, family conflict and violence, substance abuse etc., he proposes that a wider multidisciplinary approach is needed for emotional counselling services in and around schools, as takes place in many European contexts.