President urges unity on mental health

PRESIDENT MARY McAleese yesterday challenged State agencies, voluntary groups and schools to find new ways to work together in order to better respond to the mental health needs of young people.

She was speaking at the launch of a forum on “working together for positive youth mental health” at Áras an Uachtaráin attended by experts in the area of education and health, as well as by young people themselves.

The discussion was part of a series of forums which the President has organised in recent years to help focus attention on social problems such as suicide, alcohol abuse and domestic violence.

Despite significant work being done to encourage a culture of positive mental health, Mrs McAleese said many young people who experience serious emotional difficulties were not reaching out for help.

“We know if they did get help, good early intervention could prevent those problems from becoming unwelcome lifelong companions,” she said.

“So, how to bridge those gaps in which people suffer unnecessarily in silence and put themselves at increased risk by so doing?”

Mrs McAleese said many groups around the country held part of the answer to improving our response to vulnerable people “like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle”.

“The more of those pieces we reveal through dialogue, the quicker we get to see the full picture and discern the signposts to better mental health for young people.”

The kinds of issues which can lead to mental distress, she said, can range from questions to do with awakening sexuality, self-image and exams to bullying or family dysfunction.

“All or any of these and more can be a lot to deal with alone and no young person should be left to deal with them alone,” Mrs McAleese said.

Speaking at yesterday’s forum, Donal Óg Cusack, the Cork senior hurling team’s goalkeeper, discussed how important it was to seek help and support.

Cusack, the first openly gay GAA star, said being able to talk about his sexuality for the first time to a trusted friend was invaluable.

“No matter how bad your situation is, it can change. Whatever you’re going through, it can get better and it will get better – but you need the help of other people and don’t be afraid to ask.”

Teachers and staff at Christ King Girls’ Secondary School in South Douglas Road, Cork, also spoke of their efforts to create an environment where young people feel connected and able to share their feelings.

The school has trained older students as mentors for younger students, as well as making social personal and health education a central part of the school curriculum.

“Every school has the potential to make a huge contribution to a young person’s mental health,” said teacher Ger Halbert. “You have to have children feeling connected to the school . . . the informal curriculum really matters in helping children belong. It’s also important they experience positive regard, so in some place each student has a chance to feel good about themselves.”

Among the vital ingredients were a supportive principal, informed staff and good communication. “Things happen because someone drives it,” Ms Halbert said.

Megan Sarl (17), a student at the school, said she and her classmates had learned important life-long lessons about mental health and how to respond to friends in need as a result of awareness initiatives.

The issues raised in an open discussion at yesterday’s forum ranged from the need to teach young people in listening skills – so they can provide better support to a friend in need – to more effective implementation of the social personal and health education curriculum in schools.

Another key issue raised by contributors was “joining the dots” between the various services to help provide more cohesive and approachable forms of mental health support.