Supporting Student Wellbeing: Turning ESRI evidence into action in schools

Jigsaw welcomes this morning’s article in the Irish Times highlighting the recent report from ESRI on Supporting Student Wellbeing in School Contexts.

There is little doubt that the global deterioration in our young people’s mental health is the most significant and cross-cutting issue facing our society today.

And we all have a role.

Jigsaw’s Neart programme, developed and delivered in partnership with the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)/Department of Education and Youth, focuses on strengthening the whole school environment and support systems around students, fostering positive school culture, the centrality of supportive relationships and sense of belonging for all, which promote and support student wellbeing.

This approach strongly aligns with the evidence-based recommendations of the report. In recognition of the increased challenges of minoritised students referenced in this article, Neart also has an ongoing workstream on supporting the specific wellbeing needs of minoritised groups, holding equity, true inclusion and belonging for all front and centre.

Neart offers direct and practical support to schools to build the necessary skills and take evidence-informed actions to promote student wellbeing through of suite of supports for school staff and parents, including webinars, a podcast series, in-person regional conferences, online resources and our Neart Wellbeing Award.

Neart aims to support schools to create an environment that promotes the wellbeing of the entire school community. This whole school approach, involving school leaders and all staff, parents and young people, is essential in moving from individual ownership to collective responsibility.

As referenced in the recent ERSI report, the creation of this supportive environment is essential in supporting belonging and connectedness – key ingredients in supporting the student, but also those around them – educators, school leaders, staff and parents.

Key to the successful implementation of any wellbeing initiative in schools is student involvement from the start. As pointed in the ERSI  report, “There are few better opportunities to hand over responsibility than in the design and implementation of school wellbeing initiatives… Students are the experts on their own subjective wellbeing and should be central to decision-making around whole school wellbeing efforts.”

Please see www.jigsaw.ie/neart for further information on how we can support your school on your wellbeing journey.