BellTIME
BellTIME
The Importance of Wellbeing in
Introduction Over the years , there has been increasing concern about the mental health of young people in Ireland . Reports of psychological distress , substance abuse and suicide among Irish youth has now become all too common . While we know that many young Irish people are experiencing mental distress , little research has been done to determine the actual number of young people who are experiencing a diagnosable mental disorder . In October 2013 , the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland ( RCSI , 2013 ) published its finding by the PERL group on ‘ The Mental Health of Young People in Ireland ’, and this report goes some way towards addressing this issue . The researchers found that 1 in 3 of young people are likely to have experienced some type of mental disorder by age 13 years , and increases to 1 in 2 by age 24 years . Based on international evidence , this means that up to one third of young Irish adolescents and over one half of young Irish adults are at increased risk of mental ill-health into their adult years . The researchers further found that over 1 in 15 young people had engaged in deliberate self-harm and 1 in 5 will have experienced suicidal ideation by age 24 years . These finding by the RCSI suggest that Irish young people may have higher rates of mental disorder than similarly aged young people in other countries . The researchers also identified risk factors such as health issues , work and relationship stress , family difficulties , being in an abusive intimate relationship and having a bisexual or homosexual orientation .
Background Based on their research findings , they recommended two policy strategies that could have the potential to contribute to a reduction in the incidence , impact and continuity of mental ill-health among Irish youth . These were to “ include mental health literacy as a core part of the educational curriculum in primary and second level education ”; and to “ develop school-based interventions that promote and support help-seeking skills among young people ”. The implementation of both strategies would ensure that we , as a society , are committed to the protection and promotion of young people ’ s wellbeing and mental health .
In Ireland , looking after the physical education of our children has a long history . No one argues that we shouldn ’ t be doing so , and its importance is highlighted by the fact that it has long been included by the Department 10
of Education & Skills ( DES ) in the national curriculum . The big question to be asked , therefore , is why are we not taking the mental health and wellbeing education of our children as serious ? This is exactly what the changes currently being implemented at Junior Cycle level are attempting to address . A new area of learning called wellbeing will be introduced for those students starting the first year of secondary school in September 2017 . Wellbeing underpins the Junior Cycle framework and is one of the Framework ’ s eight principles . Wellbeing links strongly to Junior Cycle Statements of Learning and Key Skills , in particular the key skill of Staying Well . Schools are only too aware that students with high levels of wellbeing make better learners .
What is meant by Mental Health & Wellbeing ? Wellbeing in Junior Cycle is for all students and will play an all-important preventative role in mental health issues and teaching our students to cope with life ’ s challenges , and how to seek help and support when they need it . From the outset , we all have mental health . It is important in dealing with life ’ s ups and downs , to understand when we might