New guidelines aimed at promoting positive mental health and preventing suicide among secondary school pupils have been published by the government.

The guidelines provide information for schools and other relevant organisations on how to address the complex issues of mental health and suicide. An estimated one in 10 children and teenagers experience mental health disorders and many mental health problems emerge during these years.

According to the Department of Education, post-primary schools have a ‘unique' role to play in helping with this issue. They can do this by educating young people about health, creating a caring environment and providing support to those in difficulty.

Commenting on the guidelines, the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, emphasised that young people ‘learn more effectively if they are happy and feel supported in school'.

"Building resilience and emotional wellbeing is crucial to their school progress and their success in life. The promotion of wellbeing and the prevention of suicidal behaviour among young people in Ireland is a major public health concern for the Government and these guidelines will be an important tool in assisting schools to support our teenagers," he said.

Well-Being in Post-Primary Schools: Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention takes a ‘whole school' approach.

The department explained that this approach 'goes beyond the learning and teaching in the classroom'.

"It pervades all aspects of school life. This includes involvement by students, teachers, principals, all other school staff, health personnel, school managers, school visitors and the wider school community who interact with the school," it said.

The guidelines are made up of three main sections:
-School support for all: This focuses on promoting positive mental health to everybody
-School support for some: This focuses on the early identification of a small number of young people who are at risk of developing mental health problems or who are already displaying signs of problems
-School support for a few: This focuses on explaining to schools how they can support young people with more complex or long-term mental health problems.

However, the department emphasised that while schools are in a unique position to offer support to young people, these issues are ‘not the sole responsibility of schools'. Parents and the wider community must also play their part.

The guidelines were developed by the Department of Education, the Department of Health and the HSE. According to Gerry Raleigh, director of the HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention, this shows how ‘no single agency alone can promote mental health and suicide prevention'.

"We need to develop effective inter-agency relationships if we are to make a difference to suicide rates among young people in Ireland," he insisted.

The guidelines are due to be distributed to secondary schools over the coming weeks.