SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan
It was announced that the Happy Healthy Minds Programme which was launched in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, will come to an end on March 31, 2023.
Said the Foyle MLA: “I’ve been calling for the continuation of this vital provision within our schools.
“I know from testimonies from parents, that the support provided to thousands of children under this scheme to date has been invaluable.
“I’m hugely disappointed to learn that the programme won’t be funded beyond 31st March; it means that those children who have just begun counselling sessions will not be able to complete the programme.
“There are many more pupils also on the waiting list.
“The department, at the very least, should have made efforts to ensure funding was allocated for the remainder of the school year.
“The Happy Healthy Minds, as an early intervention initiative is so important in equipping children with essential skills to understand and recognise their emotions, to build resilience required to deal with the hardships life with inevitably bring.
“Further to that, it also helps prevent escalating numbers of children and young people reaching crisis point and alleviates pressures on other services.
“Given that significant increase in referrals to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in Northern Ireland; which saw a rise from 8,719 referrals in 2020/21 to 10,675 in 2021/22, it’s patently clear that counselling services in schools is essential.
“I’ll continue to campaign for a permanent counselling initiative for both primary and secondary school children.
“The cost of not securing this type of support doesn’t bear thinking about,” added Mr Durkan.
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