A new Department of Education-backed programme, which aims to help secondary-school students cope with crises that could affect them in later life or lead to suicide, will be piloted in 30 schools throughout the State from next September.
The programme, developed by a Co Tipperary academic, Mr Michael Ryan, has come at a time when suicide is the greatest cause of death among people between the ages of 15 and 35.
"Living with Change and Loss", which is targeted at secondary school students and addresses a comprehensive range of mental issues, is designed to help young people respond in appropriate ways to emerging crises in their lives and help them to identify support mechanisms.
Mr Ryan, who is a programme specialist in personal development communications at the Tipperary Rural Business and Development Institute, developed the programme while teaching in Dublin as part of a postgraduate study in education and training management at Dublin City University.
"Suicide is a complex issue. It stems from a combination of effects, and there is no single reason for it," he said.
"This programme helps the student deal with the small things that can accumulate. It helps students see how they can build support communities within their own peer groups."
Depression and suicidal feelings are only one of 15 units in this programme. Other issues dealt with include changes associated with bereavement and parental separation.
Mr Ryan emphasises that if minor crises are not dealt with when they happen they can reemerge to haunt a person in later life.
One example is loss through death, whereby young males tend to short-cut the grieving process, which can result in emotional problems in later life.
These mental health issues have not been covered within the Irish educational system in the past.
"The purpose of the programme is that it brings taboo issues out into the open for discussion. The programme looks at mental health and what it is and focuses on issues that concern young people," Mr Ryan said.