Month: April 2025

PRESS RELEASE Minister McEntee launches Neart, the new programme of wellbeing and mental health supports in post-primary schools

Posted on by Ian Carey

Minister for Education, Helen McEntee TD, has launched Neart, the new national programme of mental health and wellbeing resources and training for post-primary schools. Neart is being delivered in a partnership between the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and Jigsaw – The National Centre for Youth Mental Health.

Neart – the Irish word for strength, provides learning opportunities that promote student mental health and wellbeing as well as mental health webinars and e-Learning courses for parents and school staff.

Minister McEntee welcomed the launch, saying:

“I am delighted to launch Neart – the new national programme of mental health and wellbeing resources and training for teachers, students and parents, in partnership with Jigsaw.  

“It has never been so important that children and student’s mental health is supported in our schools. Particularly with the impact of social media, it is vital that we support school communities around mental health to ensure that students are equipped to speak about their mental health and wellbeing. 

“While wellbeing supports have been in schools for some time, the needs of students and teachers are ever-evolving and so it is timely that we are add to these supports for our post-primary schools. 

“I want to thank everyone who worked on this initiative and crucially, I would encourage every post-primary school to register with the service and avail of the supports on offer, to help their students and teachers alike.” 

Welcoming the initiative, Dr Joseph Duffy, CEO of Jigsaw, said:

“Jigsaw is delighted and proud to have been selected to provide Neart, in collaboration with NEPS and the Department of Education. Through this programme, we are fully committed to providing everyone within the school community with the knowledge and confidence to speak about mental health and wellbeing, to challenge stigma and, collectively, to work together to create a positive, enriching, and protective environment for all.”  

The Department of Education believe that Jigsaw’s existing experience delivering initiatives supporting the mental health of young people across post-primary schools made them an exemplary partner in this initiative. Their work will complement the supports already available in schools that include: the provision of guidance counselling, the work of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), as well as the existing wellbeing programmes and initiatives including the Student Support Team structure.

Schools can sign up to the new service by logging on to https://jigsaw.ie/neart where they will find information and support for school leaders, school staff, for student support teams and for parents and guardians and to check out upcoming training and webinars on offer throughout 2025.

 Notes for editors: 

NEART | Classroom resources | Jigsaw.ie

Supports and programmes Jigsaw will provide:

Supports for students that will:

  • Enhance the capacity of Student Support Teams to actively seek and respond to the voice of young people in relation to wellbeing and mental health in schools
  • Provide learning opportunities for students that promote mental health and wellbeing

Support for parents will:

  • Enhance parent/carer involvement in wellbeing school initiatives and engagement in promoting wellbeing and mental health in the school community
  • Enhance Student Support Teams to actively seek and respond to the voice of parent/ guardian in relation to wellbeing and mental health in schools
  • Provide psychoeducation on the promotion of wellbeing/mental health for parents via webinars and e-Learning opportunities.

Supports for school staff will:

  • Build capacity of staff to promote whole school approaches to wellbeing and mental health awareness
  • Enhance training and support for Student Support Teams to raise awareness of positive mental health and wellbeing
  • Provide e-learning opportunities for staff on mental health and wellbeing promotion
  • Provide wellbeing and self-care webinars and eLearning courses for school staff

School Refusal: Supporting a Young Person Facing School Difficulties

Posted on by Ian Carey

For many young people, school can be a mixed bag. Whether it’s the nuts and bolts of course work, exam pressure or social anxiety, bullying, or struggles with mental health, difficulties at school can lead to difficulties in getting your young person out the door in the morning.  

School refusal comes hand in hand with low self-esteem and distress and it can be tough to know how to help a young person who is unhappy in school.  

Understanding  

School refusal isn’t just about skipping classes or avoiding homework, it can be linked to issues such as anxiety or difficulties with learning. Some common signs include: 

  • Frequent complaints of headaches or stomach aches, especially on school days 
  • Sudden changes in mood or behaviour 
  • Avoiding school-related conversations 
  • Increased anxiety or distress when discussing school 
  • Declining school performance. 

Recognising early signs can help you intervene in a supportive way. 

How to Support a Young Person 

  • Listen Without Judgment 

A young person struggling with school needs to feel heard and understood. Try to create a safe space where they can express their feelings without fear of being dismissed or criticised . Use open-ended questions like, “Can you tell me what’s been difficult for you at school?” to encourage conversation and try to get them to be specific. 

  • Acknowledge Their Feelings 

It’s important to validate their emotions rather than downplay them. Saying things like, “I can see this is really hard for you” or “That sounds really stressful” can help them feel understood and supported. It can be hard for a parent or guardian to put themselves in the shoes of a young person, it’s important to show compassion for your young person. 

  • Work Together to Find Solutions 

Once you understand their concerns, collaborate on possible solutions. This might include: 

  • Talking to a teacher or school counsellor 
  • Exploring alternative learning options 
  • Setting small, achievable goals to help them re-engage with school 
  • Adjusting expectations to ease pressure. 
  • Encourage Healthy Routines 

A regular sleep schedule, balanced diet, and physical activity can help manage stress and anxiety. Encourage them to take breaks, get outside, and engage in activities they enjoy. 

Know When to Seek Help 

It can sometimes feel that we need to have all the answers for our children, but even on our best days we can’t do everything. Speak to the school and other parents who may be able to offer advice.  

If school difficulties are linked to mental health concerns, consider reaching out for additional support. Engage with your young persons school to find out what supports are available for them.  

Remember there is help out there- if you young person is struggling with their mental health, consider contacting their GP or Jigsaw. 

Moving Forward 

Supporting a young person through school difficulties takes time, patience, and understanding. Keep communication open, reassure them that they’re not alone, and remind them that with the right support, things can improve. 

What would ‘social media policy’ look like if young people had a say? We found out.

Posted on by Ian Carey

It sounds like such an obvious approach but sadly the voice of young people has been missing from the conversation.

Policies around access to social media, and less specifically ‘phones’, have been directed in Ireland by schools, big tech, and politicians.

Young people are at the centre of all this and deserve a voice in how policies around tech will impact their lives.

To start this conversation, Jigsaw last weekend brought together young people from around Ireland to explore these issues and prepare some recommendations for policymakers on social media and online safety.

David Kavanagh, Jigsaw’s Youth Voice & Engagement Manager, explains:
“On Saturday, we hosted the second session in our Youth Talk, We Listen Design Series 2025—a space where young people and decision-makers come together to shape the future of youth mental health.
“This session focused on social media and mental health, exploring the role services like Jigsaw should play, and what future policy and practice should look like. Youth Advocates from across the country took part, including guest designers from the four Dublin Comhairle na nÓg.
“We were lucky to have the event supported by Erasmus+ through Léargas, and to collaborate with The Brave Lab, who facilitated the session. Next, we’ll be co-authoring a position paper with young people to capture and amplify their insights. This paper will help us in Jigsaw better understand our stance in the area and articulate that within our local communities and nationally to the media and those in power.”

 

What was said? 

The insights from the session informed a submission from Jigsaw to a consultation of the Online Safety Commission. Here are some of the key points made by young people at the session:

  1. Young people want practical, developmentally approapriate education that goes beyond high risk activities such as cyberbullying. They want guidance on managingcomparison, navigating algorithm-driven content, setting boundaries, and understanding the emotional impact of social media. They want education that prepares, not scares — rooted in a harm reduction approach.
  2. They do not support blanket bans or rigid age restrictions. Instead, they favour phased access, informed parental support, and accountability for platforms.
  3. They want their rights respected and their voices included in how digital spaces are governed. Youth participation in policy development should be the norm, not the exception.
  4. They also highlighted that social media is not the sole cause of rising mental health difficulties. It can amplify distress, but deeper issues like inequality, climate anxiety, and academic pressure must not be overlooked.
  5. young people gave a clear call for more Irish-based, youth-led research. Young people want to help shape the evidence base — identifying both risks and what supports digital wellbeing.